Betfred in Helensburgh closes doors for final time. 10 hrs ago (Image: Newsquest) A GAMBLING shop in Helensburgh has closed its doors for the final time. Betfred has been part of East Princes Street for over a decade after it took over the former Totesport shop. In July, its owners announced plans to shut 132 shops and cut more than 600 jobs across the UK from September, with the gambling firm blaming higher taxes and economic uncertainty. The company says it launched a consultation over the closures, which hits more than a tenth of its betting shops. The move will leave Betfred with around 1,100 shops across the UK. Betfred, founded by brothers Fred and Peter Done in 1967, has grown into one of the country's biggest betting shop operators, with the pair's combined wealth recently estimated at £3.61 billion. The shop has been on East Princes Street for over a decade (Image: Newsquest) Locally, it leaves Helensburgh with only one betting shop following the closure of William Hill at 9 West Clyde Street. Its premises have lain vacant since the bookmakers left a number of years ago. In 2024, it was reported that Karl Giarchi's plans to give the shopfront a facelift were approved by Argyll and Bute Council planning officers. Two years later and the shopfront still remains empty with 'To Let' advertising sign placed on the window. The former William Hill bookmakers on West Clyde Street (Image: Google Street View) Ladbrokes on the corner of Sinclair Street and West Princes Street remains open. Jo Whittaker, chief executive of Betfred, said: "Helensburgh group has tried hard to protect all its 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 Helensburgh group 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 its shops. "Our priority now is to support the colleagues affected, and to continue serving customers and communities across the rest of our estate."

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