WE'RE backing a casino on Bournemouth's ice rink site.

That's the stance of traders near the Westover Road location earmarked for an £8.5 million gambling venue named The Majestic.

And the businesses have accused Bournemouth council - which opposes the scheme - of trying to "restrict competition" to the casino which is planned for a site near the Pavilion.

However, leader of the council Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin denied trying to restrict competition and added that if it went ahead he had "serious concerns" about the viability of existing casino businesses.

Westover Road Business Forum backed the £8.5m plan for the casino,due before magistrates for a gaming certificate on Monday.

Bournemouth's Chamber of Trade has already said it does not oppose the casino - although the council prefers its own casino development, which is supposed to secure the future of The Pavilion.

Gordon Irving, speaking for Westover Road Business Forum, said: "While The Majestic will provide a challenge to the existing Gala Casino and the council's own proposals, it is felt that it is not the role of the council to restrict competition."

Cllr MacLoughlin said that the contract for the casino was signed by the previous administration so the Tories "were landed with this development".

He added: "We are not restricting competition. The Trevor Osborne Group has a signed contract with the council, they have planning permission, and they have the licence."

If yet another casino scheme was allowed then it "brings into question the viability of all of them", he said.

"As leader of the council I would have serious concerns about the concentration of casinos in the town centre and whether it's healthy for other casino businesses," he said.