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UK
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News
20 May 2005
Newcastle UK Casino Venture Will
Bring 1,500 Jobs
American
casino giants have unveiled £200m-plus plans for a huge
new leisure, hotel and conference complex which would create
thousands of jobs.
The venture by the
Mississippi-based Isle of Capri Group, close to Newcastle's
Metro Radio Arena, would transform a semi-derelict area on
the banks of the Tyne.
The scheme is in direct
competition to the Newcastle United-MGM Mirage proposals to
build a casino and hotel complex close to St James'
Park.
There are also plans for
major regional casinos in Sunderland and Middlesbrough, but
any development in the North East would depend upon
Government approval and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has
said there will be only one nationwide.
The Chronicle revealed the
Isle of Capri Group's interest in Newcastle in March and the
company's American bosses were in the city with their
architects this week to outline their detailed proposals to
councillors.
The company says it wants
to develop a "leisure and conference quarter" on land at
Pottery Lane in association with two of the landowners,
Network Rail and Strawson Property. The city council also
owns part of the site, between the Redheugh and King Edward
bridges.
Total investment by the
partners would be "well in excess" of £200m.
The site is within the
Discovery Quarter, a huge swathe of land between Gallowgate
and Newcastle Central Station earmarked by the council as
the city's next major regeneration area.
The UK casino would have
gaming tables, slot machines, sports betting, an
entertainment area and 'chill out' space.
There would be two hotels,
one with 350 bedrooms linked to the conference centre and
another with 300 bedrooms for the casino, bars and
restaurants and leisure facilities, including a health club
and shops.
VIP suites in the hotel
would have views across the river and there would be 1,600
car park spaces.
The conference centre
would have a main auditorium for 1,500 delegates and a
second hall for 700 people, plus exhibition
rooms.
The company says the
complex would create 1,500 jobs with staff recruited
locally, plus 650 during construction. The spin off across
the region would provide employment for another
2,000.
A new public square
linking the complex to the Arena under the Redheugh Bridge
is proposed. Local roads would be improved and there could
be direct access via a pedestrian boulevard to the Central
Station.
Isle of Capri, founded in
1992, is one of the 10 biggest gaming companies in the US
and has an interest in casinos in Wolverhampton, Walsall and
Dudley through a UK subsidiary. The group is also involved
in a major regeneration project in Coventry, including a new
football stadium, offices, shops, hotel and exhibition
areas.
Tim Hinkley, president and
chief operating officer, said: "Isle of Capri will be
pushing to make Coventry a regional pilot casino under the
current Gaming Act. Isle of Capri is also keen to work with
Newcastle City Council and help the city achieve the
regional designation it deserves.
"We are hopeful the
existing Gaming Act will be reviewed, creating an
opportunity for more regional casinos and that Newcastle
will be considered for regional status."
The company says Newcastle
was chosen because it is a vibrant city with first class
transport links and there are already many successful
leisure industry companies with skilled
workforces.
Isle of Capri says
Newcastle has a progressive city council keen to see the
early development of the Discovery Quarter and the company
pledges to become involved in the community.
Mr Hinkley said benefits
include a prestigious new landmark, major investment in the
city, the delivery of a new conference centre which the
council wants, enhanced leisure facilities, a boost for
tourism and the chance to attract further
investment.
Critics are concerned that
super casinos will lead to gambling addiction and add to
problems with crime and poverty and the city's Liberal
Democrat leaders have pledged public
consultations.
Coun Greg Stone, Lib Dem
executive member for development and regeneration, said they
would consider the social consequences as well as the
economic benefits.
Both the Isle of Capri and
the NUFC-MGM Mirage proposals will be given equal
consideration.
Coun Stone said: "In
planning terms, the Isle of Capri presentation set out
interesting proposals for a key gateway site which currently
presents an unattractive front door to the city.
"We have already received
a presentation from NUFC and MGM Mirage and heard about the
considerable investment and job creation benefits that would
bring to the city.
"However, we acknowledge
that the issue of regional casinos is still a controversial
one. It is still not clear how the Government intends to
implement this policy. The council has yet to make a
decision about whether to support one for
Newcastle.
"The Liberal Democrat
executive will shortly be considering this issue and the
merits of both proposals.
"Any decision will take
place after full public consultation and after carefully
studying available evidence about the social and economic
impact of casinos."
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