Rivals offer some hope for Celtic Bookmakers workers

SOME hope has emerged for workers at Celtic Bookmakers — which went into receivership earlier this week, with debts of over €6m — with rival operators running the rule over the shops that are still trading.

It is thought up to 25 of the 47 shops in Celtic’s retail portfolio are definitely viable, with up to 10 underperforming and vulnerable, and a question over the remainder.

Since Tuesday’s announcement, the receiver — Neil Hughes of Hughes Blake Accountants — has sold two shops (in Raheny and Naas) with the loss of six jobs.