Local gambling operator Betfred has begun consultations to close 132 shops from September and reduce its workforce by more than 600 employees, the company has confirmed. The group, headquartered in Birchwood, Warrington, operates betting shops in St Helens and across Merseyside.
Why the cuts are happening
Betfred has pointed to a combination of fiscal and economic pressures as the reason for the planned closures. The company highlighted recent increases in gambling-related taxes and wider cost pressures such as higher employer National Insurance contributions and wage inflation. Senior executives say these changes have made it untenable to continue trading all of the firm’s branches.
“We have tried hard to protect all our sites and the colleagues who work in them… the combined impact of higher employer national insurance contributions, wage inflation, increases in gambling taxes, and wider economic uncertainty has left us with no choice,”
The comment was made by Betfred’s chief executive as the business began formal consultations with affected staff. The chain will remain one of the UK’s largest high-street bookmakers but expects its estate to fall by more than a tenth.
Local impact and practical information
Shops in St Helens are among those in the company’s national network that could face closure. For customers and employees in the borough, immediate implications include:
- Potential loss of local jobs and reduced footfall for nearby businesses;
- Disruption for customers who rely on in-person services for betting and account support;
- Opportunities for affected staff to seek redundancy support or redeployment where available through company consultations.
Betfred has said its priority is to support colleagues impacted by the proposals during the consultation process. No final list of closures has been published; affected staff should await direct communication from the employer and local residents seeking more information should contact the company store or check its website for updates.
Wider sector context
The Betfred decision follows a wave of high-street reductions by rival operators over the past year. Firms including William Hill and Paddy Power have also announced closures, citing tax changes introduced in recent budgets that raise the cost of operating betting shops and shift more activity online through new duties.
| Figure | Number |
|---|---|
| Planned shop closures | 132 |
| Estimated jobs at risk | 600+ |
| Shops remaining after cuts (approx.) | 1,100 |
For St Helens council and local jobcentres, the announcement is likely to prompt enquiries from employees seeking redundancy advice and support. Local businesses that rely on high-street trade could also feel the effects if multiple shops in a town centre close.
As the consultation proceeds, InfoRadar will monitor which specific outlets are affected, the support measures offered to staff and any responses from local elected representatives.
