Lottery faces Menzies’ axe
John Menzies’ plan to modernise its stores could sound the death-knell for National Lottery terminals in many of the chain’s 255 outlets.
The Scottish-based news-agent chain has ordered National Lottery operator Camelot to switch off the terminal at its outlet in Perth after refurbishing the store.
The chain says that the refit meant there was no longer room to accommodate the long queues that build up around the terminal as shoppers buy tickets.
A spokeswoman says: “We could take out terminals in other refitted shops, depending on the layout. We may remove the terminals from the new-look stores and then reconsider.”
Menzies plans to refurbish all its stores as it tries to modernise its image.
At its interim results last July, the company said that it had refitted seven of its stores, and would complete five before Christmas, with another two refurbishments planned before April.
The chain will not comment on the refit programme ahead of its results, to be announced
on July 3.
But Menzies says it is carrying out a review of the 175 Lottery stores to see whether it is worth continuing to sell tickets. The results of the review are imminent.
The Menzies spokeswoman is unhappy about the National Lottery scratch card games. The first two have already sold out, and Camelot is rushing out the third and fourth games.
“It is getting confusing, and we are being kept in the dark,” she says.
