Scarborough Casino To Raise Profile Of Resort

A new casino that represents the biggest single leisure investment in Scarborough for more than 30 years, is set to open its doors in a few weeks' time.

Nikolas Shaw, the Scarborough businessman behind the project, says that the Opera House Casino will be one of the premier gambling venues in the North of England when it opens in the North Yorkshire seaside resort on October 26.

Artists' impressions of the casino, which will create 110 full-time jobs, have just been released.

The company, with the same name as its founder, is nearing the end of its three-year project to bring the North's premier casino to the seaside resort.

The development boasts 11 gaming tables, 20 electronic gaming terminals and 20 Las Vegas-style slot machines, as well as three bars and an a la carte restaurant all over two floors.

The casino is situated on the former site of the Opera House on St Thomas Street in the town centre and will be one of only eight privately operated casinos in the UK.

Applications for free memberships will be available from September 5.

While the casino's owners predict 95 per cent of its trade will be from locals and regular customers in the North Yorkshire area, the investment has been welcomed by tourist board officials and local councillors as a great boost to the attractions in the town.

Graham North, who heads the Scarborough Forum for Tourism, commented: "This new development will of course be a popular venue for local residents but crucially it will broaden and deepen Scarborough's offer as a tourist and conference centre.

"We particularly welcome a private company taking the initiative, and we need more of this type of quality-led investment that will shape the look and style of the town in years to come."

Mr Shaw said: "It is great to be nearing completion of the building, and we are in the process of recruiting the 110-strong team including croupiers, catering managers and a range of hospitality staff, and as the building takes shape we can really start to see the venue coming alive.

"We have been receiving approaches for membership already which is encouraging, and we are looking forward to opening the doors at the end of October."

The company has used local Scarborough contractors for many aspects of the project including property consultants, builders, electrical, structural and mechanical contractors.