Betting shops to shut in parts of England and Wales as PM delivers stark message

Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced major changes to Covid-19 restrictions over the Christmas period that will result in betting shops being closed across large parts of Britain.

Betting shops in London, the south-east and parts of the east of England – as well as those in Wales – will be forced to shut again, while racing will remain behind closed doors for the foreseeable future in those areas after the prime minister announced on Saturday evening that they have entered Tier 4 and will face tougher restrictions over the Christmas period. The new restrictions come into effect from midnight on Saturday.

Areas that were placed into the 'very high' Tier 3 category on Thursday will now be placed in a new higher Tier 4 level, which means that all non-essential retail – including betting shops – must close in a bitter blow to the industry just weeks after they reopened at the end of the most recent lockdown between November 5 and December 2.

Betting shops will also close in Scotland from Boxing Day when level 4 restrictions come into effect.

Racing in England to continue behind closed doors

The BHA confirmed racing will continue as normal in Tier 4 areas, but with no spectators allowed and owners subject to the same restrictions as during the national lockdown in November.

However, the BHA is awaiting further guidance on the situation regarding racing in Wales after the announcement of a new lockdown that comes into force from Sunday.

The statement said: "A government official has confirmed to the BHA tonight that Tier 4 is equivalent to the restrictions that applied to elite sports in the second national lockdown in November.

"Racing will continue behind closed doors in Tier 4 in England with no spectators and owners subjected to the same restrictions as November, which limit attendance to a maximum of 45 on the course at any point.

"Owners attending must comply with the BHA's protocols as well as national guidance, and satisfy themselves their travel to, and attendance at, race meetings is legitimately linked to their business involvement in British racing.

"Each individual course will provide information specific to their events which owners are asked to check before attending. All those attending racing behind closed doors, including participants, are asked to note the government's latest statements about the risks of virus transmission and ensure they continue to follow racing's protocols.

"The BHA and racecourses will continue to liaise with government, Public Health England and local safety advisory groups and keep the situation under review. We will share any further relevant details as and when we have them."

Boris Johnson: bleak message on Saturday from the prime minister

Racecourses in the affected areas had already moved their fixtures behind closed doors, with Ascot's two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday staged without paying customers, but they now look likely to face a more extended period than first anticipated without spectators after entering the new highest category.

The Jockey Club had already announced that Kempton's two-day King George VI Chase meeting will be run behind closed doors while Newbury's fixture on December 29 and at Sandown on January 2 will also have no spectators.

The Welsh lockdown, which has been brought forward from December 28, will now be in place for the Coral Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow, which was due to be staged behind closed doors anyway, and will mean the closure of the company's betting shops in Wales.

Chepstow: Welsh Grand National day on December 27 was already due to be staged without spectatorsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Coral PR director Simon Clare told the Racing Post: "We are still digesting the news but we will obviously adhere to the measures that have been outlined by the government and Welsh government. These are challenging times but we are used now to dealing with these and we will be implementing the changes this evening.

"These remain uniquely challenging times and clearly the health of a nation and the situation we face is of paramount importance. That's always been the case and will continue to be the case."

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