A BOOKIES which has been part of the fabric of Dunoon for 70 years is set to close down this week.
Ladbrokes has been serving customers in the town from its Moir Street premises for half a century, having originally opened on John Street, but it will hand out it’s last betting slip on April 26.
Once a crucial part of life in the area, the rise in online gambling and decline in customers has forced the owners into action.
Caroline Guichan is the marketplace manager for the store and has placed locals’ bets in the town for 35 years over two spells, having originally joined the shop when she was just 18.
At one point was in charge of five shops, including Rothesay, Largs and Greenock, but came back to Dunoon where it all began.
She told this newspaper of how ‘gutted’ she was at the closure, but more so for her regulars than herself.
She said: “I was really shocked when I found out, but I’m getting over it now.
“I’m just gutted for the ones who come into the shop, the ones that you see everyday, they’re the ones that I’ll miss and they’ll miss the shop. They’ll miss my home baking and my wee teas and coffees and my chat, I see myself as a social worker at times.”
She continued: “Seeing them coming in in the morning with a big smile on their faces and getting a wee tea and coffee – we’re a community at the end of the day.
“I don’t see myself as a bookie, which I know it seems strange as I work in a betting shop and I’ve been there for 34 years. I know every customer that comes into that shop, I know everybody and what they do.
“It’s sad for the town, it’s just going to be one of many that’s closing I’d imagine.”
The closure marks the end of an era in Dunoon with Ladbrokes’ status as the last remaining betting shop in the town, and Caroline believes the Covid-19 pandemic was the straw which broke the camel’s back.
She added: “We weren’t silly, the way business was going it was getting quieter and quieter.
“We didn’t come back after Covid because everyone went online when the shops shut. So, the last three or four years it’s been a struggle.
“It was unexpected but I’m not surprised, lets face it. I really thought we might get another year out of it with the World Cup coming but it wasn’t to be and you can’t run a business if it’s unprofitable.”
“We don’t really get a lot of workers coming into the town and they used to be our bread and butter, and unfortunately our older customers are dying off. The young ones aren’t interested, they’ve got it made online with all these different sites that they can go on to which we can’t offer.”
Although the younger generation may not place much importance on betting shops, Caroline was quick to reiterate how vital her shop is for older members of the community.
She said: “It’s a big part of their life.
“It’s only a social part for them to come in and have a wee chat, tea and coffee, and read the paper. That could be the only time that they come into the town.
“I’ve got one customer who’s been there for me right form the start, he comes in every day, and I’m gutted for him. He may go across the water to put his bet on there, but it’s another travel expense.
“They want to come in and write their lines on that bit of paper, put it through the till, and come back the next morning and know what they’re getting back. Seeing their smile when you’re handing over that bit of money is brilliant and you don’t get that online, you don’t get that connection.”
But ultimately money talks and parent company, Entain, took the decision to close the store down as it was deemed unprofitable.
However, Caroline was adamant that the American company served her staff well, adding: “I can’t fault them because they’ve been so good to myself and my staff, they’ve been amazing.
“It’s just a business transaction at the end of the day. I’ve loved every minute of it, it’s been a great job. It’s given me a great life, for myself and my family.”
Entain has been approached for comment.
As part of efforts to help within the community, the staff at Ladbrokes have often raised funds for local charities and organisations.
Caroline said: “It’s going to be sad that we’re not going to be doing that anymore.
“I could be wrong but I think we’ve raised over £100,000 for the community. We’ve got some money left which we’re going to donate to some charities to give something to the community before we say goodbye.”
The sense of community within the Ladbrokes shop would not have been possible without the staff Caroline has worked with over the years.
In closing, she paid tribute to them, commenting: “A big shoutout to my staff for all their hard work, particularly Yvonne Love and Andrew, and all the staff I’ve had in years gone by, they’ve all been amazing and had my back.”
