Boylesports have announced that they will be taking over the running of 17 of the betting shops forced to close amid Celtic Bookmakers’ collapse.
Boylesports, Ireland’s leading independent bookmaker are to take over 17 shops from Celtic Bookmakers, saving up to 100 Irish jobs in the process.
Celtic Bookmakers, owned and run by Newstalk presenter and former Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates, ceased trading earlier this month with bank debts of around €6million.
The company had 47 betting shops in Ireland, employing 237 people. There were also two Celtic Bookmakers shops in Wales.
In what is a significant investment in retail estate for Boylesports, the acquisition of the 17 shops now means Boylesports have a total of 158 outlets across the country.
Founded in 1989, Boylesports has their Head Offices in Dundalk, County Louth. Boylesports employs over 900 people.
Speaking about the acquisition, Mark Nunan, Boylesports Head of Marketing, said: “The current economic situation in Ireland is very difficult for everyone and we at Boylesports are thrilled to announce that we will be taking over 17 new shops and helping to avoid almost 100 redundancies.
“This significant investment shows our commitment and ambition in the retail betting market, but more importantly that we are doing everything possible to save as many jobs as possible in the country.
“Our new acquisitions will complement our existing estate and we believe they further cement our position as the largest independent bookmaker in the country.”
The following is the list of Celtic Bookmakers’ shops that have been acquired:
- Blackrock
- Borrisokane
- Castlebar Co Mayo
- Clonakilty Co Cork
- Clonmel
- Clonsilla
- Cobh
- Collins Ave Dublin
- Dungarvan
- Kanturk Strand St Co Cork
- Miltown Malbay Co Clare
- Mullingar
- Patrickswell Co Limerick
- Roscrea
- Thurles
- Vevay Bray
- Kilmallock
