Fears for Rotherham shops as Betfred announces plans to axe 132 outlets along with 600 jobs

Gambling firm Betfred - which has two outlets in Rotherham town centre - has announced plans to close 132 shops from September.

The shock move will lead to more than 600 jobs being lost across the country.

The business has blamed economic uncertainty and higher taxes for the dramatic move.

It has not yet been revealed whether any outlets in Rotherham or the Dearne Valley will be impacted by the decision.

Betfred will still have around 1,100 shops across the UK even after the proposed closures.

Warrington-based Betfred was founded in 1967.

In last year’s Autumn Budget it was announced that there would be an increase in remote gaming duty from 21 per cent to 40 per cent, as well as a new online sports betting duty of 25 per cent from 2027.

Jo Whittaker, chief executive of Betfred, said: “It is with deep regret that we have today started a consultation with colleagues working in more than 130 of our shops regarding a proposal to close those locations.

“We have tried hard to protect all our sites and the colleagues who work in them, but 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.

“These are well-run shops, staffed by dedicated colleagues, and it is incredibly hard to see any of them close, but the current fiscal and regulatory environment has made it impossible to keep trading all our shops.

“Our priority now is to support the colleagues affected, and to continue serving customers and communities across the rest of our estate.”

A spokesman for the company said: “We are not saying any more at this stage – it’s a very sad day.”

Gambling businesses Paddy Power and William Hill have also shut stores over the past year.