Councillor says new betting shop in Ballyfermot is “the last thing in the world we need”
By Maurice Garvey
BOYLESPORTS recently opened a new branch at the former Ladbrokes/ESB/Halifax premises at 314 Ballyfermot Road – their fourth branch in Ballyfermot.
The Irish bookmaker have branches at 283 Ballyfermot Road, 314 Ballyfermot Road, 357 Ballyfermot Road, 205 Le Fanu Road, with another branch located nearby at Park West Plaza.
“It’s the last thing in the world we need,” said Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson, who has previously called Ballyfermot the “Las Vegas of Ireland” due to the proliferation of bookies and pharmacies in the area.
“I was down the shops the other day, and there was nobody around, very low footfall. There is so many bookies and pharmacies. The city council need to realise it is destroying the area. People are doing their shopping elsewhere.”
Cllr Jackson asked Dublin City Council this week to develop a retail strategy for the area to “stop the proliferation of similar use shops.”
Currently there are up to nine bookmakers in the area.
Boyle Sports say their business model has allowed them to “succeed where others have struggled.”
Jenna Boyle, retail director at Boyle Sports said: “As the most popular bookmaker in Ballyfermot, Boyle Sports has a long history of serving local customers.
“Our oldest store is on Main Street but when we acquired William Hill in 2011 we also acquired two more Ballyfermot outlets, at Clifden and Le Fanu Road.
“More recently we reopened the former Ladbrokes store on Ballyfermot Road and have found that our simple formula of offering the keenest odds in the best surroundings has allowed us to succeed where others have struggled.
“It is important to note that no new stores have been added in the Ballyfermot area. The net number of stores has remained the same in recent years.
“That said we constantly review our store mix to ensure we are offering the best service to our customers.
“We are also in regular contact with local planners to ensure that we offer that service in a way which fits the priorities of the council and the needs of the wider community.”
