Makerfield - Clare Swallow
A Coral manager in Ashton-in-Makerfield has spoken about the importance of betting shops to local communities, amid speculation that further gambling tax rises could put hundreds of high street betting shops at risk.
Clare Swallow, manager of the Ashton-in-Makerfield branch, says regular customers value the shop as somewhere to meet people and talk to staff they know.
There is speculation that the Treasury is considering further gambling tax rises in the Autumn Budget, including an increase in Machine Games Duty, with industry modelling warning that a significant rise could put betting shops and jobs at risk.
The issue has particular resonance in Makerfield. Andy Burnham, the constituency’s former MP, previously spoke up for betting shop workers during the Covid restrictions, describing people working “in bookies” as among those “too often forgotten by those in power”.
Swallow said: “I come from a hotel and catering background and started to work at the Ashton-in-Makerfield shop about four years ago. I started as customer service manager and I am now the marketplace manager.
“When I started here, I didn't know anything about bookmakers and betting shops, but then quickly came to realise that the betting shop is exactly the same as we use for catering.
“You get to know the customers, you get to know their needs, what they like, what their regular bet is, what their regular drink is, and what they like to talk about, whether it's horses, dogs, football, or rugby.”
The Ashton-in-Makerfield branch is just one of around 2,300 Ladbrokes and Coral shops across the UK.
The proposed increase in Machine Games Duty (MGD), which applies to gaming machines in betting shops, could have a major impact on the high street. Modelling commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council from EY estimates that doubling the standard MGD rate to 40% could lead to up to 1,470 betting shop closures and 15,900 job losses across the sector.
Swallow said: “A lot of the older customers like to come in because they're now on their own at home or are looking after and caring for a member of their family, whether it be children or partners, and it's just vital for them.
“The Wigan and Makerfield area is full of mining and mill towns. Community is everything. People have grown up knowing each other, in and out of each other’s families.
“This is their shop, where they go out for lunch. Sometimes they don't even have a bet, they just come in for their talk or chat, and they'll banter with the staff or the customers.
“Not everyone wants to fit in and talk. For them it’s a part of their daily or weekly routine, whether it's just popping up for a 20p game of bingo while their wife gets their hair cut, or putting the Irish Lottery on before they deal with life at home.
Regular customer Brian Parr, who won a silver medal with the England football team at the 1965 Deaflympics, said: “I love coming in here. There are nice ladies and gentlemen who come in here.”
Entain announced plans to cut around 400 customer care roles this month, following 500 job reductions announced earlier in the year, as it responds to higher gambling taxes and other cost pressures. Chief executive Stella David has warned that further tax rises could put more jobs and shops at risk.