Our quest to find the 2019 Betting Shop Manager of the Year starts here

Lorraine Archibald’s feet had barely touched the ground after being crowned the 2018 Racing Post/SIS Shop Manager of the Year at a glittering awards lunch in London when she enjoyed a memorable day at Ascot.

Archibald, 42, saw off a stiff field to become the first winner from Northern Ireland in the competition’s history and her first outing as champion was a far cry from her only previous visit to a racecourse.

The Ladbrokes marketplace manager from Newtownards said: “The only track I had been to before was Downpatrick. Walking through the gates at Ascot was quite overwhelming as you’re hit straight away by the size and scale of the racecourse, and its facilities.”

It was a special day in more ways than one for Archibald as she was able to take her shop team with her to celebrate the success of the previous month at Ascot, where they enjoyed the racing from the comfort of the SIS box.

“It was completely different to standing in the rain at Downpatrick,” she added.

The afternoon got even better for Archibald when she met 20-time champion jockey and celebrated son of Northern Ireland Sir Anthony McCoy.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen until he walked up to introduce himself. It was absolutely wonderful – a real surprise,” she said.

Lorraine Archibald with Sir Anthony McCoy at Ascot in DecemberCredit: Mark Cranham

One thing Archibald has appreciated more than anything as the Betting Shop Manager of the Year has been the opportunity to attend racing, greyhound and industry events, and relay those experiences to her customers.

She said: “One of the highlights so far has been going to Sheffield for the Racing Post Juvenile at the start of March as it showed how popular a sport it is. It has certainly made me appreciate greyhound racing more and that’s something I’ve passed on to my customers.”

Later on that month Archibald attended the first two days of the Cheltenham Festival. “Television does not do it justice in terms of the size, scale and atmosphere,” she said. “Being able to see the likes of Altior and Tiger Roll up close is something I’ll never forget.”

The rest of the year will take her to the Punchestown festival, the Investec Derby, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and the Coral Sprint Trophy at York, with the highlight being a VIP trip in July for the Singapore Derby, courtesy of the Singapore Turf Club.

Archibald, who also attended the Ice gaming exhibition in London in February, said her experiences since winning the competition have made her a better shop manager.

She said: “It has broadened my knowledge of the industry and has been an experience I’ll always cherish.

“It has also perked up the local community, which has been a joy to see, especially given the challenges we face. You share the success with staff and customers.”

The biggest challenge facing the betting industry is the reduced maximum FOBT stakes, which Ladbrokes introduced in their shops in Northern Ireland to mirror the rest of the United Kingdom.

She said: “We brought the change in the Friday beforehand. Some people were complaining, so we had to talk to them and explain why it was happening. We'll get through it though.”

How the competition works

Lorraine Archibald will enjoy a VIP trip to Singapore as her main prize for winning the competition

It is up to the major companies to determine their qualifiers. There are eight regional competitions: Ireland, Scotland, north-east, north-west and Isle of Man, Midlands and Wales, south-west and Channel Islands, Anglia and south-east, and Greater London.

In the seven British regions, Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes and William Hill will be asked to put forward two nominations for each area, with one place in each earmarked for Paddy Power.

In Ireland, there are two places reserved for BoyleSports, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, with one place for William Hill.

For all independent managers, they can enter by emailing bsmoty@sis.tv by May 31.

Each manager will then receive a written question paper and six per region will be chosen to go through to the next round by the judging panel.

The 48 managers through to this stage will each receive a mystery shopper visit, after which the panel will select the final 24 (three per region).

Those 24 managers will then spend a day at the races at Doncaster at the end of October, where they will meet the judges for the first time. Eight regional champions will be chosen from this day.

Each regional champion, along with a key member of their shop staff, will then attend the final selection in London, which involves a question-and-answer session with the judges on the day before the final.

The winner

The final awards lunch takes place in London in November and the winner will be invited to several key racing and betting events during their year as champion.

A day in the life

Jim Cremin visits Lorraine Archibald in her shop in Newtownards

Colloquially known as Ards, the home of the reigning Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year lies at the northern tip of Strangford Lough, ten miles east of Belfast.

Lorraine Archibald, in her role as marketplace manager, oversees three shops in Newtownards with her base in North Street cutely tucked off the main drag in a position traditionally seen as popular with punters who might not like to be in the public eye.

Yet, once inside, the term ‘home from home’ is entirely appropriate. In some shops nowadays staff can keep their heads down and don’t necessarily notice who’s coming and going. Not here. Everyone gets a greeting and if the customer fancies a chat and a cuppa, it’s sorted. People have time for each other.

What her secret? “Get to know your customer,” says Archibald. “Always have a conversation, even if it’s busy. That helps make it special for folk and I look forward to it. It’s about setting a standard and having an eye for detail.”

Behind the counter is remarkably tidy and there’s an impressive team ethos. She adds: “You need to be professional and ready to adapt – that will be particularly important with the machines stake change, we need to bring those customers with us.”

She describes taking part in Manager of the Year as a wonderful experience: “The entire process is a boost to your self-esteem, with meeting other competitors in the latter stages particularly interesting.”

Her advice to those entering this year: “Don’t worry too much, just be yourself and enjoy it. I definitely have.”

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