Boylesports plots retail expansion in UK

Mark O’Neil, chief financial officer of Boylesports, has said that the bookmaker could increase its land-based retail network in the UK by up to 25 shops by the end of the year.

Speaking during an interview with Newstalk, O’Neil said the Ireland-based firm is looking for cities that will allow it to “build a network and brand presence”.

Boylesports was previously linked with taking on a number of Ladbrokes and Coral sites in the UK, after the companies were forced to sell shops in order for their merger to go through.

However, Boylesports ultimately lost out to Betfred, which acquired all 360 of the shops sold off by the duo.

“We are looking for the right opportunities that will offer us scale, not just taking over two or three stores, but looking at cities and areas that will allow us to build a network and brand presence with a minimum of twenty to twenty-five stores,” O’Neil said.

Related article: Betfred set to beat Boylesports to Ladbrokes and Coral shops