Sponsored by
Blackpool casino hopes revived
BLACKPOOL should still be given the opportunity to use casinos as a form of regeneration, the House of Lords has been told.
Lord McNally of Blackpool said gambling licences could be transferred to the resort if they are not taken up by other towns.
His comments came during a debate confirming legislation to allow 16 new large and small casinos to open.
Related stories
'Get on with it' call over casino site
Hoteliers' dismay at casino decision
The vote followed an order in the House of Commons in February which effectively spelt the end of the supercasino, which was not included in the order.
Referring to speculation that some towns included in the order may now not want to take up their licence, Lord McNally said: "That prompts the question if all 16 are not taken up is there enough flexibility in this legislation, or can the Government use enough common sense, to reallocate those licences to other areas?
"I believe some of the benefits, which would have come from a resort casino, could still be won by Blackpool, by attracting willing casino investors.
"They would operate not just a stand-alone casino operation but a resort casino, which would operate as the nucleus of an entertainment centre, a retail centre, a leisure centre and a restaurant centre."
Large casinos under the new legislation have the right to operate 150 machines with jackpots of 5,000. The supercasino would have offered 1,250 slot machines with a top prize of 1m.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester backed the view, saying: "If there is a decline in interest in the number of large and small casinos, the Government could also give an undertaking that, if a local authority does not want to take one of these, an authority such as Blackpool should be able to take their place."
Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said he still hoped casinos could make up an element of future regeneration.
He said: "If there were potential to change future legislation then that might mean one or two of these licences could come to Blackpool and be an important part of future regeneration."
He added: "Once again the government saw the strength of support for Blackpool and that is of assistance in continuing to make our case."
Blackpool Council had hoped to attract around 700m of investment by being the home of the UK's first supercasino.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
