Casino giant's £25m plans for complex
One of Europe's biggest casino operators today unveiled plans for a new £25m leisure complex in Hull.
If given the go-ahead, the development could create up to 1,000 new full and part-time jobs.
Apollo Casino Resorts want to open the complex in the new Manor Mill development, which was given planning permission last month.
The planning consent includes 52,875sqft of space for a casino on three levels of a nine-storey block.
Earmarked for the derelict Clarence Mill site overlooking the River Hull next to Drypool Bridge, the scheme will also include a 23-storey apartment block, student accommodation and a 185-room hotel.
The group behind the new casino is a partnership between the UK-based Apollo Resorts And Leisure and Casinos Austria International, which operates more than 70 venues in 15 different countries.
They are the first leisure operators to go public with specific plans to apply for a new so-called large casino licence in Hull.
Apollo Resorts And Leisure chairman Paul Gregg said: "We think it is an exciting opportunity for Hull.
"We are not only looking at opening a casino under the Government's new gambling legislation, but a full destination resort including five new restaurants on the site to create a distinctive attraction.
"We have looked at a number of other cities and a number of other sites in Hull but believe this is the most appropriate."
The go-ahead will hinge on Apollo securing the large casino licence awarded to Hull by the Government under new gambling legislation introduced earlier this year.
Hull City Council is expected to invite applications for the licence early in the new year.
Under the legislation, large casinos will be allowed up to 150 slot machines with £4,000 jackpots.
Manor Mill developer Philip Akrill said he was delighted at the link-up with Apollo.
He said: "It is an international company that is keen to bring a quality product to Hull."
24 Comments
View all
by lisa, hull
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 7:46PM
“i think its a great idea, it will privide plenty of much needed jobs for everyone.”
by Tuchull, Hull
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 1:53PM
“At last Hull wil have another new attraction looks great on the drawing board and it should be welcoming news that we all have the choice partake in the activities there. No one is forcing customers through the doors we all decide what we want for our entertainment and activities.
Strange nowadays when the small majority abuse things like drinking, gambling drug abuse how it becomes the authorities problem and they have to deal with it and we pay for it.. its about time these people took account for there own actions in life and stopped whinging about how unfair and what a bad time they have had.
They get all the support for free after they have spend their last penny on drink or drugs or even gambling.
Mind you Mister head in the sand Carl Minns will be happy If u are an alcohlic u get money to help u drink if u take drugs priority at the chemists and free drugs, maybe if i gamble to much i can get fifty quid from the council to help me each week then i can go to the new gamblers addiction centre run by the council with the staff on £43,000 per week for 20 hours so jobs for the boys again.
Seriously i think it is great news but get on with it, we do not need another enquiry to see if the people of hull need this project. Less talk and more action.”
by Jon, Hessle
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 11:51AM
“Non gambler, ex gamler, casi et al.
Can't see your logic, whic seems to be :
Open casino = Rise in gambling addiction.
1) Not all people that attend casinos are addicts
2) All existing addicts will gamble whether this casino opens or not.
3) Regular gambling does not equal personal finacial ruin.
4) When Napoleons opened it made no difference to the citys addicted gamblers.
Its like saying by opening a pub all the local residents will become alcoholics!
I sure, as casi graphically illustrates, that gambling addiction is a devastating condition. But the benefit to the local area, particulaly in the current climate, would make this development a positive decision.”
by puzzled, yorks
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 9:22AM
“And I thought we were in a recession , how can people afford to gamble ? my advice is find something better to do with your money.”
by casi ? NO !, Hull
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 9:15AM
“Like all addictions, Gambling or risk taking involves escaping from reality. It is not just the actual risk, but the whole panoply of events leading up to taking the risk and the fantasy which surrounds it. The process of addiction and the inherent Denial processes prevent the sufferer from seeing the reality of what is happening. The belief that the next risk will be the one which will put everything right, the delusory sense of certainty about the outcome combine to convince the person that just one more risk is essential. As with all addictions, the sufferer seeks escape from the mounting anxiety and depression which accompanies high levels of guilt, shame and remorse, by taking yet more risks. Common sense does not apply in addictions, the person is powerless to find a solution on their own and their lives descend into more and more chaos. If this is what you want , go ahead !”