Shops to lose National Lottery machines

National Lottery ticket machines are set to be removed from 175 stores across the country - as they are failing to rake in at least £1,000 a week.

Lottery operator Camelot has given retailers 60 days to turn their fortunes around or lose the distinctive blue sales terminal.

Sam Singh of SanJ's News and Wines, in Walsall Road, Aldridge, is among those to get a letter from Camelot warning him the terminal will be ripped out next month after notching up sales of just £568 a week. He blames increased competition locally.

The 44-year-old said: "We have been here two years and in that time we have got the lottery sales up.

"But shortly after we bought the business,Tesco Express arrived just yards away and they were given a terminal too.

"We independent retailers are already suffering but Camelot gives machines to the big chain stores.

"Who can sell up to £1,000 in lottery tickets with the big stores on the doorstep?

"Most of our customers are old people who rely on us to supply their newspapers and lottery tickets. We provide a service for them. It is very frustrating."

SanJ's has until Friday to appeal against Camelot's decision.

Camelot spokesman Rob Dwight said a "sales improvement programme" was launched in February.

He also said around half of the under-perfoming 175 shops were chain stores.

"As operator of The National Lottery, Camelot's objective is to maximise returns to the good causes through selling tickets in a socially responsible way," Mr Dwight said.

"In order to maximise our sales potential - and therefore the amount of money we deliver for the good causes - we have to ensure that players have easy access to our games. We also need to get the best return on each and every one of our terminals."

Tickets and scratchcard games are available at 28,500 outlets across the country.