Dome Casino Bid Slammed By Council Chief

The Millennium Dome's bid to become the site for Britain's only super casino has been slammed by Manchester Council's chief executive.

Sir Howard Bernstein claimed the London Olympics in 2012 would make it impossible to gauge the impact of a Las Vegas-style complex in Greenwich and said there was "no regeneration case for the Dome".

He also questioned whether Blackpool - another of Manchester's rivals in the race to host the casino - had put forward a "realistic" bid.

Sir Howard was speaking as Manchester got its chance to put its case to the Casino Advisory Panel, which is visiting each of the seven short-listed towns and cities before choosing a winner at the end of the year.

Manchester's bid would see a casino with more than 1,000 unlimited jackpot slot-machines built as part of a huge leisure complex near the City of Manchester stadium. The project could create 2,700 jobs.

The Dome is favourite, but questions have been asked over the decision-making process after it emerged work had already began on the site.

There was further controversy when it was revealed Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott had stayed at the ranch of Philip Anschutz, the owner of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which bought the Dome in 2002.

Sir Howard, who was representing Manchester's bid, attacked the capital's application at a meeting at The Golden Tulip Hotel in Trafford Park.

He said massive existing investment in the area around the Dome, including plans for the 2012 Olympics, meant it would be difficult to register the impact that building a new casino would bring. He also questioned whether it would be in the public interest to award the scheme to the Thames-side site.

He also took a swipe at Blackpool's proposals pointing out that 70% of the resort's trade came from outside the area.

He said: "We have to ask whether Blackpool's bid is realistic." Sir Howard said Manchester's proposals would do more for the north west's economy.

He said the experience gained from rebuilding the city after the 1996 bomb and hosting the 2002 Commonwealth games would prove valuable in ensuring the success of the casino. He also claimed Manchester had the ideal mix of catchment area, deprivation and tourist trade and said the application could "guarantee commercial success".

He also said the plans may see the development of a four star hotel and conference centre catering for international business.