Simon betting on a new business plan

Game on: BetSid is expanding. Paul Kirkby and Stephen OMalley. Below, business owner Simon Rigby

Simon Rigby, who runs Farmgen and The Villa and who recently bought Preston’s Guild Hall, has launched BetSid.

The new company has opened a betting shop in Dickson Road, Blackpool, and is set to open another in Abingdon Street in the spring.

Today it boosted its portfolio by buying Betabet in Chorley, adding two shops to the growing chain.

Photo Neil Cross
The official handover of the Preston Guild Hall from the council to Simon Rigby — Photo Neil Cross The official handover of the Preston Guild Hall from the council to Simon Rigby

It already has shops in New Hall Lane and Church Street, Preston, and will renovate the Market Street and Moor Road shops in Chorley. with workset for completion in early 2015.

The takeover secures seven of its Betabets employees and provides employment opportunities in the local area.

BetSid has experienced rapid expansion since it began trading in June 2013 and is the exclusive betting partner of Preston North End FC.

Paul Kirkby, operations manager for BetSid said: “There was real opportunity in the expansion of BetSid into Chorley, the firm had an established presence on the high street and a secondary premises in the town.

“We are really pleased the current Betabet team are staying with us and the continued success of our business will provide more opportunity for local employment into a trusted and local booking firm.

“There are not many independent bookmakers on the high streets of Britain any more but we are confident we have something to offer and things have been going brilliantly since the start.

“Each store will create work for around five full time staff who all get the full training from the Association of British Bookmakers to make sure they are up to date with the code for responsible gambling.

“The Abingdon Street store would be up and running now, we have been given the licence, but the building project team are hard at work on Mr Rigby’s Guild Hall project at the moment.

“We offer odds on horse racing, greyhound racing, football, cricket, golf, NFL, snooker, boxing, tennis and most other sports.”

BetSid, which currently employs 30, has plans in place for its own online betting service.

Steven O’Malley, Betabet shop manager, said: “The team and I are looking forwards to joining the growing company and think our regulars will like what they see with the renovations, a project which will see £40,000-plus  planned investment to the premises.”