Nominees revealed for awards to salute work of retail staff during the pandemic

The final nominees for a one-off Betting Shop Champions Awards to celebrate the work of retail staff during the Covid-19 pandemic have been revealed.

The awards were launched in July following the cancellation of the annual Betting Shop Manager of the Year competition and were open to betting shop employees in Britain and Ireland. It is being run by the Racing Post and SIS.

A judging panel will now choose eight award winners from those selected and they will be recognised at a virtual ceremony on November 17. The panel includes Tanya Stevenson, Richard Hayler of Ibas, Helen Scott of SIS, former BHA chief executive Nick Rust and Jim Cremin.

When the awards were launched, Racing Post chief executive Alan Byrne said: “We have heard many stories of managers and other people in retail going above and beyond the call of duty to protect the health of their customers and their staff, and simply to keep their shops open for business in the face of the challenges the pandemic has imposed on us all.

“We want to salute those efforts and highlight the resilience and determination that so many people have shown.”

SIS chief executive Richard Ames added: “It’s been a very difficult time for the industry over the last 18 months, but during this period there will be countless stories of how betting shop managers and staff have gone above and beyond for their customers.

“We are very pleased to be part of these awards and want to recognise the efforts of those who have continued to offer outstanding service to their communities and our industry.

"Good luck to all those who are nominated and I look forward to celebrating our betting shop heroes at the awards.”

Betting Shop Champions Awards nominees

Emma Agnew, Megabet, Consett; Aundrea Augstine, Paddy Power, Hounslow; Claire Barnes, Coral, Stockport; Nuala Bracken, Ladbrokes, Belfast; Brian Connell, Ladbrokes, Tuam; Richard Darbyshire, Ladbrokes, Exeter; Angela Dinham, Star Sports, London; George Furmage, Ladbrokes, Stenhousemuir; Dale Harper, Paddy Power, Birmingham; Donna Harte, BoyleSports, Athlone; Stephen Harrison, William Hill, Middlesbrough; Keith Harvey, BoyleSports, Portstewart; Kevin Hawkes, William Hill, Worthing; Ruth Jones, Coral, Caernarfon; Gina Lake, Star Sports, Woodley; Leeanne Mallie & Emily Evans, Jenningsbet, Folkestone & Deal; Ranga Perera, Coral, London; Lynn Phelan, Coral, London; Raymond Robbins, Betfred, Gillingham; Benjamin Shaldon, William Hill, Exeter; Gordon Sinclair, Ladbrokes, Glasgow; Darren Thompson, Coral, Newbury; Jason Thorpe, Paddy Power, Mansfield; Luke Timmins, Betfred, Birmingham; Claire Tranter, Ladbrokes, Leeds.

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