THE NUMBER of bars in Swindon town centre will again come under the spotlight next week. Councillors are being advised to reject an application which could see another bar open on Bridge Street.

Swindon council members are also being told an application to turn the same site into a bookmakers should be refused. Makedwell Ltd has applied to turn 59-60 Bridge Street, on the corner of Bridge Street and Fleet Street, from a shop into licensed premises which could be a restaurant or bar. The company has not yet said how the building would be used.

But the report into the plans says the site is in an important location where the council wants to improve the range and quality of shops. There should never be two businesses next to each other in that area that are not shops.

The New Swindon Company has also objected to the plans, arguing the site is highly visible at im-portant crossroads.

The same Bath-based company has also applied to turn the same site into a bookmakers but this application is also recommended for refusal for the same reasons.

The applications will be considered by Swindon Council's planning committee at 7pm on Tuesday, at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street.