SEAN Graham bookies will reopen six of its betting shops in Belfast and another two in Donegal from next Monday to coincide with the start of the Royal Ascot racing festival and resumption of the Premier League.
It closed its entire retail operation at the end of March, when most staff at the company were furloughed.
But it confirmed that a phased reopening will begin on Monday, starting with its Belfast shops on the Antrim Road, Grosvenor Road, Havana Way, Donegall Pass and two on the Falls Road.
Outlets at Buncrana and in Donegal Town will also start taking bets over the counter.
Plans to reopen a number of other shops in its portfolio are currently being put in place, and it is anticipated these will open in the coming weeks.
A number of other bookmaking chains in the north, including Toals, are currently in the process of getting their shops ready to open again by installing perspex screening and floor markings, while staff are undergoing training.
But they are not yet committed to a firm opening date.
Chris Deery from Sean Graham’s said: “We're pleased to be in a position to reopen eight shops from Monday, complete with new procedures to keep all staff and customers safe.
“It's important for us to ensure our colleagues have the confidence of knowing that when they do return to work, it's safe for them to do so. We have remained in contact with our colleagues throughout what has been a difficult time for all concerned.
“Over the coming weeks we will be monitoring all aspects of the business and we are confident our customers and colleagues will meet the new standards of operating in our betting shops and that customers will continue to enjoy their betting experience with us.”
He added: “Many people have missed their weekly sporting fix in recent months, and we hope that as racing, football and other sports begin again, it will be an important step in the road to recovery for the community and the economy.”
The cancellation of major sporting fixtures around the world in April and May meant there was nothing for punters to bet on, and this will lead to a significant reduction in annual revenues and profits for most bookmakers.
One independent bookmaker told the Irish News: "We reckon our year's profits are already wiped out, because even when we do open again, punters won't be coming into our shops in huge numbers, because many are simply afraid to be handling cash."
