Paddy Power is set to close 57 of its 608 betting shops across the UK and Ireland, putting nearly 250 jobs at risk. The closures follow a review of the company’s high street estate amid “increasing cost pressures and challenging market conditions” according to parent company Flutter Entertainment which also owns Betfair and Sky Bet. The move affects 29 Paddy Power stores in the UK, including one in Northern Ireland, as well as 28 stores in the Republic of Ireland.
Of the 247 staff affected, 128 of those are in the UK and 119 in Ireland. A Flutter UK and Ireland spokesperson said staff impacted by the closures will be offered redeployment where possible, though some redundancies will be unavoidable.
A Flutter UK and Ireland spokesperson said: “We are consulting closely with colleagues and providing support to those affected by these changes.
“We are continually reviewing our high street estate, but it remains a key part of our offer to customers, and we are seeking to innovate and invest where we can as we adapt to different customer trends and needs.”
While the closures come amid speculation of increased gambling taxes in the autumn Budget, the firm said the decision was driven by market pressures rather than tax changes.
Flutter added that its high street presence remains a key part of its offering, and it continues to adapt to changing customer trends while innovating across its services.
Following last month’s announcement, a branch in Buckinghamshire has now closed.
In High Wycombe, the shop at 12 White Hart Street has been permanently shut and boarded up.
In response to the news, BOYLE Sports, Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, has reportedly pledged guaranteed job interviews to all Paddy Power retail staff affected by the closures.
BOYLE Sports operates more than 390 shops across the UK and Ireland and is currently offering vacancies in shop management, customer service, and operations.
