just been to the bookies

I haven`t been inside a bookies for years but, yes, that is a huge change from how things were in the past (I used to hate it!) Even once a year punters are online presumably.

last time i was in one it was also empty...i was nicking the safe in fairness.

There are fewer horsey oldies. The replacement (mostly locals) are lesser in number, and would prefer online; the immigrants are disinterested. Even ITV Racing is going down the route of a reality format.

I've not been to a bookie to place a bet for at least 2 decades. The last race I watched in one (PP in Morden) was when Shishkin won The Supreme. I only managed to watch the horse coming to the last hurdle and passing the eventual second of Elliot whose name I cannot remember.

The present TV format is a put-off. A wrong individual heading the presentation with the bookies sponsoring and leading the show.

Horseracing is on its deathbed; the BHA is mismanaged and toothless; a major party is carving out the cake for themselves only to the detriment of horseracing.

no surprise

haven't been in shops as much in last few months but half the time there's nobody in them

Can be handy if you need a dump

never heard of Fairness Rico , Scotland ?

barrow in fairness

fairness
/ˈfɛːnəs/
noun
noun: fairness

    1.
    impartial and just treatment or behaviour without favouritism or discrimination.

Ronnie Rails will be in later with the slip count.
"All time low", incoming.

Just spent 15 mins in Billy's - 6 punters, 3 staff, 1 screen dedicated to horse names in the National which are boys or girls names. They'd concluded that Stellar Story belongs in the girls' category.

Give it another 20 years and I might pop in for 15 minutes again.

Did the punters in the shop have a phone in there pocket

I was in this morning,  baldies shop ,for an hour or so
Definitely less than previous years
But made my day hearing the once a year punter classic..."I'll pay the tax"

Leif Still here sad to say slips and cash well down over 10% soon be home closin30  mins early. A lovely gin and tonic awaits then a nice sirloin home made chips home made onion rings and a couple of glasses of merlot  looking forward to a few days in Cheltenham next week .hope you are all well.
Ronnie.

There must be shops out there Ronnie that take more money via the machines than they do over the counter on the horses/dogs/others.
I glance at shops as I pass by and most often I can only see guys/gals sat on stools playing the machines.
Sign of the times and no going back is the reality.
Enjoy your steak and wine.
Some things more important than others like family, friends and some good fayre to return home to.

Another shared cultural experience gone

1100 slips just short of 10k in bets.
The shop was very busy at times and at other times very quiet.
Have a lovely day guys and gals.
Ronnie

My local "Magic Sign" used to employ 4 extra staff to assist people with simplified betting slips on GN day. All of that is long gone - sad to say, but I do not miss the necessity of going into a betting shop one bit in all honesty.

Manual settlers might settle almost that total on their own back in the days of yore.
Would have piles of slips everywhere and leave the shop lateish to grab a pint next door at the boozer.

I love the shops. Easy to get on in most of em. Why bother with online accounts when you're showing your hand. And you can't get on more than 1.25.

Went to the new star shop in Hove yesterday (formerly PP shop) they must have spent a fortune setting it up.

The staff were friendly and seemed ok.

the star logo plastered everywhere on rubbish bins and backs of chairs.

Ben's parents made a show but during the time I was there the only bet they took was a guy who wanted 0-0 half time in the Arsenal game  I only knew  because he had to ask for assistance. Not a single player on the machines.

I would have thought it would be busier later but there is a lads and freds shop few steps away so who knows?

Apr 11, 2026 -- 2:54PM, the old nanny ;-) wrote:

Can be handy if you need a dump

Don't you need to ask for a key beforehand?

The total slips taken on national day in the six entain shops in dark and depressed Darlo was down over 20% Very sad times.
Have a good day guys and gals
The birthday boy will be dining in La Bobina.Cheltenham this evening.

Went to a BetF Sat. BOG on all UK races plastered all over shop. Except GN. The only race not BOG UK since introduced. Luckily a 25/1 winner returning 50/1 didnt happen. Most punters would not have realised the race was not BOG.