From Bookies to Bar - How to convert a betting shop to a thriving community asset.

My father was an independent bookmaker with a betting shop in a small village called East Leake, just south of Nottingham.

With the internet and increasing overheads, the 'big boys' slowly consumed the small independents and there are probably just a few remaining.

In November 2014 'Rob The Bookie' finally closed. 

My partner, Rachel, was working as a business analyst for a bank when she came up with the idea of converting the betting shop into a micro-pub.

Initially, I was sceptic. The wet trade was dying as far as knew, but Rachel showed me the research and I was sold on the idea. Rachel has been running the pub for over 4 years now and has never looked back. A thriving night time trade plays a crucial role in reviving town centres.