Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

 
 
Monday, 6th September 2010

Casino granted after council U-turn

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date:
16 March 2010
A TOWN hall U-turn will create up to 80 jobs for Blackpool residents – and save three clubs.
Blackpool Council last night granted planning permission for a new casino on Bloomfield Road.

More than 100 supporters turned up to see the plans by Pierre Coulon, owner of the former Paris Casino on Lytham Road – which burned down last July – approved.

He had struck a deal with the Number One club on Bloomfield Road to transform it into a casino.

But the deal looked doomed after town hall planners recommended granting a licence for just four years.

Workers, including five casino managers who have been out of work since the fire, cried tears of joy after the council voted to allow Mr Coulon's appeal, and granted unconditional permission.

Mr Coulon said: "To say I'm ecstatic is an understatement. I had 60 workers, almost all of who could not find jobs.

"I'm so glad the council saw sense. This will transform South Shore and the area many people see when they first arrive in Blackpool.

"We hope to spruce up the club and open it in three months. All my former workers will have jobs, and there may be up to 20 more."

Former manager Alfons Abdelsayed, 35, of Marton, said: "I'm not afraid to say I wept when they voted."

Adrian Chitty, 55, of South Shore, added: "I remember the awful night of the fire – I went from head cashier to collecting the dole.

"I can't express how happy I am – my life has been transformed."

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE TUESDAY'S GAZETTE.

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 16 March 2010 10:49 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Blackpool
 
Prev
1
2
Next
Last
1

Tickets Please,

16/03/2010 11:16:10
Has someone been lacing the council coffee with a good sprinkling of common sense?
If so, they should do it more often!
2

Blackpool Man,

16/03/2010 11:54:58
no chance of that 4th stand now then!!!!!
3

,

16/03/2010 13:24:54
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
4

atomic,

16/03/2010 18:20:55
wow the council finally make a sensible decision
5

Mr_Osato,

16/03/2010 19:34:38
so on what grounds did the councillors make their decision? What was the vote? What did the officers say in support of their original reccomendation?

I really don't care what no-marks who spend their days drinking in clubs say, I voted for my councillors 'cause I want them to make difficult decisions that are right for the town. We're going to be stuck with one of the most monstrously ugly buildings on the Fylde coast, providing gambling in a residential area which has huge drug and alcohol problems. And it's now going to be more difficult for the only thing this town has to be proud of, the local football club, completing its ground to Premiership standards - without going through a compulsory purchase situation.

And what of the legal bill? Is the council not now open to a hugely expensive legal challenge from others - including the football club, the Pleasure Beach and Hilton - who have asked about building a casino in areas other than the town centre and been told 'no, it's got to be in town'. This is an insane decision and I'd like the full picture.
6

Tickets Please,

16/03/2010 20:03:14
"We're going to be stuck with one of the most monstrously ugly buildings on the Fylde coast, providing gambling in a residential area"

Osato,
Where on earth did you getthe idea that it is a residential area?
The area surrounded by Rigby Road, Central drive, Waterloo Road and Spine Road covers an area of approx 355,572 square yards.
The area with housing on inside that area covers approx 10,279 square yards.
Which, even with my non metric old type calculations means that the residential area is about 2.8% of the total. Not exactly residential.

as for the monstrously ugly buildings, have you taken a walk around Blackpool lately, because there are some that are a sight worse than the No1 club.
7

stephen pierre,

London 16/03/2010 20:17:16
Well done Pierre Coulton and the team of campaigners. This casino at the former number one club will create employment, help the members of two social clubs survive and bring the much needed business investment to the town during these difficult times. It is all makes good sense. This sensible decision was clearly not beyond the reach of probability.
8

Mr_Osato,

16/03/2010 20:17:35
I go past the monstrosity every day - it's right next to a row of houses on Central Drive and there are houses opposite on Bloomfield Road - how residential do you want to get? And I'd invite you to name one uglier building in Blackpool
9

John McNicholas .,

Bispham 16/03/2010 23:09:32
Great Decision by the Council.This Casino was operating before Mr. Osato in a run down area with drug and alcohol problems which was also residential.Think Tkts Please is right about No. 1 Club too. O K its an ugly typical 70s Lump, but there really are a lot worse in Town. I love the Beautiful game myself, but lets not sacrifice 60 jobs and 3 Social Clubs on its altar. Dont expect any Law Suits meself...They are expensive animals, and no one can stall and prevaricate like a Council Body. It will take em months just to find out which department they need to speak to ! ! !
10

Alfred Huckett,

Blackpool 16/03/2010 23:14:42
Mr Osato #8. I can think of an even uglier building than The No1 Club, and it's right across the road from the afore mentioned. I mean that carbuncle of a 'hotel', called Travel Lodge. Not only is it bland and featureless, but who on earth thought that battle ship grey was an attractive colour?
From the outside it looks like a prison, both cold and unwelcoming. I know it's cheap to stay there, but I would have thought the budget would have gone a bit further than making it look like a Stalag!?
Prev
1
2
Next
Last

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.