ONE of Hexham’s four betting shops could be sold off to a rival firm – if a proposed merger of Labrokes and Coral goes ahead.

The two giants of the betting world have neighbouring stores in Hexham, on Priestpopple and Cattle Market respectively.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fears a merger could restrict competition on high streets nationwide.

The CMA is now investigating the location of all Ladbrokes and Coral stores, to find out whether there would be a “substantial lessening of comp- etition” should the two firms merge.

A final report by the CMA is set to be published in July, which will determine whether one of the two Hexham stores would have to be sold off to another operating bookmaker, in the interests of fair competition.

Martin Cave, who is chairing the CMA’s investigation into the proposed merger of Coral and Ladbrokes, said: “For customers, competition comes from the choice of shops in their local area and it’s they who could lose out from any reduction of competition and choice.”

A spokesman for Coral said no decision had been made yet, and that the firm is awaiting the final report from the CMA.

Hexham is well served by bookmakers. William Hill also has a store on Cattle Market, while a Betred outlet is located in the Market Place.

Roger Higgins, chairman of Hexham Civic Society, said: “We raised objections in the past to the BetFred shop in the Market Place.

“This was because we would prefer to see active, independent shops, rather than national chains.

“If the merger goes ahead we would much rather the Coral outlet on the Cattle Market changed to a non- betting use, in particular one which brought its empty upper floors back into use.”