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07 March 2006
Casino Fear For Southport Small
Businesses
Small
firms could be "knocked out" by big businesses if Southport
wins the race to build a new "Las Vegas-style"
super
casino, the town's
MP has warned.
John Pugh, a Liberal
Democrat, said he feared claims that big casinos could
breathe new life into towns and cities were exaggerated and
misleading.
Instead, he told MPs:
"First, they are not necessary for regeneration and,
secondly, even as vehicles for regeneration, they have mixed
effects. Yes, they create employment, but they also knock
out many local businesses, which are replaced by big
concerns."
Dr Pugh also said he was
mystified why a Labour government wanted to encourage more
casinos, when the move would redistribute wealth from the
poor to the rich.
He was immediately accused
of a U-turn after sitting on the Commons committee whose
report cleared the way for the new casinos - an allegation
he denied.
Dr Pugh's comments are
likely to raise eyebrows at Sefton
Borough Council,
which is locked in a race - with Warrington and St Helens -
to be the "casino capital" of Merseyside and North
Cheshire.
The three authorities have
all told the Government they are interested in securing one
of a limited number of money-spinning licences, with a
decision due at the end of the year.
A total of 30 councils are
competing for eight licences for a "large" casino, with up
to 150 gaming machines, or a further eight licences for a
"small" casino, with a maximum of 80 gaming
machines.
Sefton is believed to be
eager to attract a casino operator to Southport, as part of
£4m plans to transform the town centre, although it
insists there is no specific proposal.
Both large and small
casinos will be allowed to invite a major bookmaker to set
up inside, an extra attraction outlawed in existing
casinos.
The larger facilities can
also run bingo
games. However, the maximum jackpot offered by the slot
machines will remain the same, at £4,000.
During a Commons debate,
Dr Pugh - asked about his "U-turn" - said he had met worried
retailers and hoteliers on a visit to Blackpool, another
contender for a casino.
He said: "One does not
agree with absolutely every word of every report with which
one is associated. I am unconvinced."
It is likely only one of
Sefton, Warrington and St Helens will succeed, because the
Government is insisting on a "good geographical spread" of
casinos.
If the three authorities
wish to stay in the casino race, they must turn their
expressions of interest into firm applications before the
deadline of March 31, 2006.
Liverpool - once tipped to
be home a much bigger "super-casino" at Kings Dock - has now
opted out of the race altogether.
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