'Retail is alive and kicking' - punters return to shops but revival is uneven

Two leading independent high street bookmakers in England have expressed optimism for the future as easing lockdown restrictions have brought a return to busy trade in betting shops up and down the country, with one insisting "retail is alive and kicking".

Their positive words come as government ministers indicated the last significant restrictions are due to be ended in England on July 19, despite a rising number of Covid-19 cases.

Bookmakers do report, however, some intriguing regional and local differences across their respective estates.