Closure of 14 William Hill shops cost €2.8m

THE closure of 14 William Hill betting shops across Ireland last year cost the company €2.8m.

The firm reported pre-tax losses of €7.4m at its Irish betting shops for 2008. This followed a profit of €229,000 in the previous year.

Turnover fell slightly from €116m to €96m, according to accounts just filed.