UK Casino Loses Out On Its Sign Gamble

UK casino bosses have been ordered to take down a 25ft sign from the side of their building after it was denied planning permission.

The sign has been fixed to the side of Bannatyne's Casino on City Road, Newcastle, since February.

And after the company's bid for retrospective permission was refused, managers have now been given until Friday to remove the sign.

Bannatyne's was originally refused planning permission for a sign on the east side of the building, overlooking St Ann's Wharf.

A Newcastle Council spokeswoman said: "In July, information came to us that Bannatyne's had erected an illuminated sign on the north elevation, that they hadn't even applied for."

The casino's managing director, Paul Edwards, said the firm believed placing the sign on the north side kept it away from the quayside and fitted in with the Gambling Commission's guidelines on advertising. It has since appealed against the decision to reject retrospective permission, but the council insisted the sign had to come down in the meantime.

Mr Edwards said: "We feel the council has taken a very heavy-handed approach. I can understand this policy on the quayside proper, but City Road is an area where the previous council wanted to encourage new businesses. Our concern is that our customers will see the sign coming down and think there is not a casino there any more."