Trio interested in running casino
AT LEAST three operators have expressed an interest in opening a major new casino in Hull.
As the Mail exclusively revealed in December, one of Europe's biggest casino companies has already gone public over its aim to secure a large casino licence in the city.
Apollo Casino Resorts wants to open a £25m leisure complex in the proposed Manor Mill development next to Drypool Bridge in the city centre.
Now, Hull City Council leader Councillor Carl Minns has revealed he has received three separate letters of interest from potential casino operators keen to open a venue in Hull.
Speaking at the council's housing and regeneration scrutiny commission, he said: "Whatever my own personal feelings about casinos, this council has a statutory duty to ensure this licence is issued.
"Now we have the power to do so, I believe we should get on and issue it."
Hull was one of a handful of cities given a variety of new casino licences by the Government last year as part of new gambling legislation.
Under the legislation, so-called large casino licences such as the one in Hull will allow a single venue with up to 150 slot machines and £4,000 jackpots.
The council has yet to announce how it intends to invite official applications for the licence.
However, the Mail understands council officials have been working closely with their counterparts in other local authorities, where new licensing powers have also been granted, to devise a co-ordinated approach.
According to the council's forward plan, the procedure for selecting a casino operator is due to be discussed by senior cabinet councillors next month.
Government ministers have made it clear they want to see any new casino developments linked to wider regeneration initiatives.
Under the Apollo proposal, the company's casino would be part of a wider leisure development including up to five new restaurants.
Altogether, it would cover the lower floors of a high-rise block currently being reserved for a 185-room hotel.
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by Ernesto, Hull
Sunday, March 01 2009, 5:56PM
“I hear Fred Goodwin and Andy Hornby are in the running to open these casino's. Apparently they have years of experience running gambling establishments.....”
by peter, Hull
Sunday, March 01 2009, 1:45PM
“Paul.NHE. You must be out of touch with what is going on in the country,( A DERELICT BUILDING ????) Firms,Shops etc; are closing down people out of work homes being repossessed.I feel sorry for you.”
by Charles, gosh three crooks after me ...
Sunday, March 01 2009, 2:01AM
“no comment ........
this smells as bad as denmark”
by Paul, NHE
Sunday, March 01 2009, 12:37AM
“I would not use it, but if it pulls in money and jobs to the City, whats the problem? Or would we rather carry on seing derelict buildings with no use?”
by peter, Hull
Saturday, February 28 2009, 10:00PM
“A CASINO THE STATE THE COUNTRIES IS IN,AS MINNS LOST HIS MARBLES ALTOGETHER. i ALWAYS KNEW HE WAS NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD TO GIVE THEM A LICENCE PROVES IT.”
by kevin, e yorks
Saturday, February 28 2009, 9:26PM
“councillor minns make this development happen,and get the proposed boom project back on track,other citys left us behind 10 years ago,we have a lot of catching up to do,these developments must happen or the new river footbridge will be to nowhere,hull has to reinvent its self and get over the decline of the fishing industry,mind you that should have happened 20 years ago,but a labour council let hull stagnate,while other citys like leeds boomed and grew,and while your at it mr minns can you do something about all the chewing gum on the paths,it looks disgusting,no wonder people dont come back to the city center,which is a shame as hull has so much potential with all its water front.”
by Urban Reader, the urban rim
Saturday, February 28 2009, 5:10PM
“Wouldn't bet on it...”
by Jonny Rev, KUH
Saturday, February 28 2009, 4:23PM
“Just build the casinos build loads of them, make Hull the UKs mecca of gambling, think of the people who would go out of their way and TRAVEL to our city and spend money here. why do people have such a problem with casinos? Have they even set foot inside of one i wonder? Or do they think that Hull doesn't deserve to be famous for anything other than teenage pregnancy and a long forgotten fishing industry.”
by steve, west hull
Saturday, February 28 2009, 2:28PM
“If Minns didn't agree with the casino as his words seem to imply why did he allow the bid to go ahead in the first place.It would seem to me he's doing his usual"NOT ME GOVNER" in case it all goes wrong then take the praise if it' all ok.What a phoney fence sitting so n so”
by Norman, hull
Saturday, February 28 2009, 12:34PM
“We need a casino in this City as much as we need a hole in the head. They cannot be serious in giving consent for it to be built......can they???”