DERRY'S Central Bookmakers is currently "in negotiations" with a Ballymena-based firm to sell off its ten shops in a deal expected to be completed for in excess of £10 million, the 'Journal' has learned.
If the deal goes ahead, it will mark the end of an era for the Duffy family which has dominated the city's main bookies' shops for more than half a century.
Current Central owner, Mr. Brendan Duffy, plans to sell off the last of the family's shops
in Derry and Ballykelly to County Antrim-based chain, McLean Bookmakers.
Speaking to the 'Journal' last night, Sean Gallagher, manager of Central Bookmakers, said there was "substance to the rumours" that Mr. Duffy was selling up his businesses to the McLean Group which also recently acquired the former William Hill shops across Northern Ireland.
"I can confirm that we are in the process of doing a deal with McLean Bookmakers but, as yet, we have not signed anything over or finalised the details," he said.
The Duffy brothers took over the businesses from their late father to establish the North West and Central chains in Derry and Donegal. However, Willie Duffy, the owner of Lifford Greyhound Stadium, sold his North-West chain to Ladbrokes in a multi-million pound deal in October 2006.
It is understood that full details of the proposed deal are expected to materialise over the next few weeks. At the time of going to press last night, a spokesman for the McLean Group was unavailable for comment.
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