Boyle Sports is throwing a lifeline to 247 Paddy Power employees who’ll lose their jobs when Flutter shuts 57 Irish retail stores. The company’s offering guaranteed interviews for any open positions.
And they’ve got roles available. Boyle runs 390 stores across the UK and Ireland. Current openings include shop management, customer service and operations positions.
The timing isn’t coincidental. While Paddy Power retreats from retail, Boyle’s heading the opposite direction. They’re planning a £100m expansion into UK retail over the next three years.
Why One Operator Backs Retail While Another Exits
Paddy Power’s closures reflect broader retail pressures. Rising costs are squeezing margins. Tax hikes threaten profitability further.
But Boyle sees opportunity where others see risk. “Sports betting was built on the high street,” said Jenna Boyle, the company’s Retail Director. “We’re proud to still be growing when others are scaling back.”
Their expansion plan will create over 1,000 jobs. That’s a bold statement in a market where competitors are pulling back. Betfred owner Fred Done recently warned he might close all his high street shops if proposed tax increases go through.
What Boyle’s Expansion Plans Include
The £100m investment targets new UK retail locations. It’s a three-year rollout focused on physical betting shops. Those 1,000+ planned jobs will be spread across multiple locations.
For displaced Paddy Power staff, the process is straightforward. They’re automatically eligible for interviews. No need to prove themselves worthy of consideration first.
Boyle’s current footprint spans both sides of the Irish Sea. Their 390 existing stores provide a foundation for the expansion. And they’re not just talking about digital growth, this is specifically retail investment.
The company also sponsors West Ham United’s shirts this Premier League season. High-profile backing for a business betting big on traditional retail.
How This Affects UK and Irish Betting Markets
Boyle’s retail commitment runs counter to industry trends. Most operators are prioritising online channels. Some are closing physical locations entirely.
“Our commitment to the UK and Ireland is long-term,” Jenna Boyle added. “We’ll continue building a business that supports local people, local communities and the industry as a whole.”
The divergence in strategy is stark. Flutter’s pulling back from Irish retail. Betfred’s threatening complete high street exit. Meanwhile, Boyle’s investing nine figures in physical locations.
This creates an interesting dynamic. If tax pressures force widespread retail closures, Boyle could capture significant market share from exiting competitors. They’d face less competition for prime locations and experienced staff.
But it’s a risky play. The factors driving Paddy Power’s closures, rising costs, regulatory pressure, tax threats, won’t disappear. Boyle’s betting that physical betting shops still matter enough to customers to justify the investment despite those headwinds.
