BOOKMAKERS PADDY POWER is set to close 28 shops in Ireland, putting some 119 jobs at risk.

Paddy Power will also close a store in the North, as well as closing a further 28 stores across Britain.

Parent company Flutter UKI said the decision to close shops across Ireland and the UK follows a “review of the high street estate” and that the impacted shops will shut their doors “within the next month”.

In all, close to 250 staff are at risk of redundancy, including 119 in Ireland.

A spokesperson said impacted staff will be offered redeployment opportunities where possible.

However, the spokesperson acknowledged that the store closures “will unfortunately lead to a number of job losses”.

The spokesperson added that Paddy Power is “consulting closely with colleagues and providing support to those affected by these changes”.

Flutter UKI added that the decision has been taken “in light of increasing cost pressures and challenging market conditions”.

The spokesperson added that Flutter UKI is “continually reviewing our high street estate” and while it “remains a key part of our offer to customers”, it is “seeking to innovate and invest where we can as we adapt to different customer trends and needs”.