William Hill Warns New Lockdowns Will Hit Profit

William Hill has warned that shutting 100 shops for four weeks due to further local lockdowns would reduce core earnings by around £2m.

Currently, around 10% of its retail estate is located in regions where the local Covid-19 alert level is classified as “very high.”

Despite this, the firm, which operated 1414 shops across the UK in the13 week period to September 29, said it had delivered a good performance as the return of live sport accelerated and its retail estate reopened.

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The firm, which has 1300 employees in Leeds, said it enjoyed a continued good performance in its International Online business with gaming growing double digits, partially offset by unfavourable sports results.

Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO of William Hill, said: “We are very pleased with the trading performance of the group, which has been borne out of the commitment, resilience and hard work of our teams across the business. I could not be prouder of them.

“We have moved the company forward with our relentless focus on our customers, enhancing the competitiveness of our product, and maintaining player safety as one of our highest priorities.

“We have reinvigorated the leadership team and they, in turn, have empowered their teams to deliver on our plans.”