Major chain to close 132 UK shops with over 600 jobs to be axed from September

Betfred is planning to close 132 shops across the UK, which will result in over 600 staff members losing their jobs starting from September. These closures, representing a tenth of the company's betting shops, follow recent gambling tax rises. The major betting chain has officially launched a consultation process regarding these closures. The move directly links the reduction in the physical retail estate and the subsequent workforce cuts to the impact of increased taxation.