William Hill to reopen betting shops as sports starts to take off again

GAMBLING giant William Hill is plotting to reopen shuttered betting shops later this year after revealing a near-60% sales drop due to the shutdown on Friday.

The company has been hit hard by the cancellation of sporting fixtures but said the resumption of German Bundesliga football this weekend behind closed doors and of UK horse racing in June was encouraging.

Chief executive Ulrik Bengtsson said the firm would open up its retail estate “safely” and plans to

ensure it meets social distancing and personal protection requirements. Revenues in the 10-week period between March 11 and April 28 fell 57% due to a wipe-out of US and UK retail sales.

To cushion the blow, Hills has slashed monthly spending to around £15 million.