Ladbrokes No 1 here after €157m shop deal

BOOKIE and boxing promoter Barney Eastwood has sold his chain of betting shops to Ladbrokes for €157 million.

The acquisition of the 54-strong chain makes Ladbrokes the biggest bookmaker on the island of Ireland with a total of 271 shops. This figure exceeds rivals Paddy Power, Boylesports, William Hill and Celtic Bookmakers.

Mr Eastwood, best known for managing the former super-featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan, set up the betting chain in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, in 1954 with his wife Frances.