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Casino dream is dealt major blow

David Ottewell
26/ 7/2005

TALKS over a planned mega-casino in East Manchester are on hold as the city's hopes of becoming the Las Vegas of the north took a major blow.

A joint study by leading agencies in the north west has thrown its weight behind Blackpool in the race to win Britain's only licence for a huge gambling complex.

The city council has suspended talks with Kerzner International, the company chosen to develop plans for the Eastlands site, while it seeks "urgent" answers from the government over the future of casinos. The new study - commissioned by the North West Regional Assembly, North West Development Agency and the Government Office North West - does not kill off the Manchester bid, but relegates it to a rank outsider.

The government has appointed a panel to chose which location would benefit most from a "pilot" mega-casino.

The panel will not be bound by the study, but is certain to take note of its findings. And the NWRA will use the document to draw up regional planning guidance that will be legally binding on councils.

The study found Blackpool would benefit most in regeneration terms from having one of the casinos, which will be able to house more than 1,000 unlimited jackpot slot machines.

Partners

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: "The agency now looks forward to working with partners in supporting Blackpool as the north west's preferred location for the pilot." Manchester's best chance now may be to be included in a second wave of mega-casinos.

Other places still in the race include London, Glasgow, Salford and Trafford.

The proposed £260m complex in Eastlands would also include housing and leisure facilities.

Manchester city council leader Richard Leese said: "We believe we have an excellent case for bringing such an attraction to Sportcity, but need clarification from the government about our next steps in achieving this."


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   Manchester held back yet again! You can bet London will get what it wants though - and there's never any suggestion from John Prescott and New Labour that London's ambitions may harm any where else is there? What a joke this whole idea of a North West regional government would be.
Mark, South Manchester
26/07/2005 at 12:21

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   Would somebody please just make a decision!! There's a huge piece of land next to COMS that needs developing. For three years now it's just been left and it makes the whole SportCity area look horrible.

Just get it sorted! Politicians are pathetic.
Dave, Manchester
26/07/2005 at 09:43

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