Charlie Murtagh, 42, from Orrell Park, has finally shed light on the Bitcoin Repair shop on Rice Lane that has left the Walton community puzzled since it opened in the former William Hill bookmakers building.
Mr Murtagh, who has a background as an electrician, told the ECHO the business repairs the machines that create Bitcoin, not the cryptocurrency itself. "The repair is for the machines that create the Bitcoin. Like any computer they always need maintenance," he said.
Locals left scratching their heads
Residents had been unsure what the shop actually does. Tommy McCoy, 70, who has lived in the area for 50 years, said: "What is it? It's a repair shop so something goes wrong with it. I want my bookmaker back."
The shop often appears closed because it does not rely on foot traffic. Instead, it operates through online contacts within the tight-knit Bitcoin mining community.
Repair costs and secure premises
Repair costs range from £100-£500 for air-cooled machines to more than £1,000 for more powerful hydro technology.
Mr Murtagh said he chose the secure Rice Lane premises because "if it's good enough for William Hill, it's good enough for these". The site serves as both a repair centre and a meeting place for Bitcoin miners.
Defending the venture, he added: "I'm a local lad. It's not like I've rolled up to a different city and started some madness going on."
