Stanley Racing wants to spend more than £100,000 to set up a new business in the premises formerly occupied by Timpsons.

Yesterday (Tuesday) their agent Tony Marland said the firm wanted to open a modern shop in Princess Street that would suit Knutsford.

"They are trying to keep with the times and they need something that will go with a nice town," he said.

"We did look at improving the current shop, but it has reached the end of its potential."

If Knutsford planners back the betting business' plans the firm will then have to apply for a new licence from local magistrates.

But if their plans are approved they will refurbish the double-fronted shop with satellite televisions, new screens and other state-of-the-art technology.

"It will be more customer friendly," said Mr Marland, who is based in Stalybridge.

The agent said that the image of betting shops had improved over the years, but the company's Knutsford base in Princess Street had not moved with the times.

A previous application to switch sites was refused by Macclesfield Borough Council which was worried about the loss of another shop in Knutsford.

But Stanley Racing has now offered to convert its current unit back to a retail outlet.

"It would lend itself to an olde-world small retail shop," said Mr Marland.

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