Thistle Hotel Gets Casino Green Light

A UK casino is set to return to Middlesbrough's Thistle Hotel.

Thistle Hotel (Management) Ltd has been granted planning consent by Middlesbrough councillors for the casino operation in the hotel in Fry Street.

Middlesbrough Council's planning committee granted planning consent for the casino in the area currently used as the hotel's leisure and fitness club.

Planning officers reported to the committee the casino would occupy 960sq m in a building with a total floorspace of 9,200 square metres.

In a supporting statement from the agents for the applicants said: "There is a strong desire on the part of the applicants to provide high quality, integrated hotel casino facilities to operate within and alongside existing hotel activities to both business and leisure guests. Those hotel casino facilities have not been readily available in the UK, outside London, previously due to the historical gaming legislation."

The statement added, "The proposals would represent a significant investment into the existing hotel premises which must have positive regeneration benefits by generating confidence and vitality in Middlesbrough town centre."

In recommending approval the planning officers told the committee: "The proposed casino would be in a highly accessible and sustainable location and would have regenerative benefits in this part of the town centre."

The hotel was built in the early 1970s and was originally known as the Dragonara. In 1975 planning consent was granted for use of part of the ground floor for a casino. It was extended in 1995 and in 2000 planning consent was granted for the change of use of the casino area to a health and leisure club.