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UK – Il-kunsilliera ta’ Preston japprovaw l-offerta tal-każinò

Preston’s bid to host a casino is a step nearer following approval from the council’s planning committee for plans to transform the former Fives building in Guildhall Street.

A group of Preston-based businessmen are working with the National Casino Industry Forum (NCiF) as they bid to win a landmark casino licence for the Lancashire town. Led by Edgar Wallace, owner of the former Fives bar building, the group is hoping to make use of a ruling making licences ‘portable’ which would allow Preston to use a dormant licence granted to a town or city that has not been developed.

Councillors were keen to make the distinction between a ‘cosmopolitan’ casino and plans by Coral to open a betting shop in Market Place.

Councillor Brian Rollo, Chair of the committee, said it was a ‘different beast entirely.’

“This is a gambling establishment which probably would be beneficial to Preston city centre,” he said. “It would bring a different clientele. Casinos aren’t allowed to sell alcohol; they can have an associated business that can sell alcohol but it has to be separate. The B2 machines can go in bookmakers and casinos – this place will be entitled to put B2 gambling machines in. But most casinos in the country don’t like B2 machines.”

Councillor Carl Crompton added: “It is a different atmosphere. People go out for the casino experience. I’m fully behind it and I think it will be a good thing for Preston and it will create a lot of top end jobs.”

Although spearheading the campaign, the Fives proposal is now likely to face bids from rival companies as the licence procedure will be opened up to a casino tender.

Councillor Drew Gale said: “I am quite supportive of the prospect of a casino. I think it would contribute greatly to the night time economy and bring a significant number of jobs. I am keen for the city to move away from the night time boozing culture. I think it needs something a bit more cosmopolitan.”

The aim is to bring a leading casino operator to the town early next year with a gaming floor opening in the two upper levels of the former Preston Conservative Club building.

Il-Kunsillier John Swindells, Deputat Mexxej tal-Kunsill ta’ Preston, qal: “Jiena nifhem li kieku l-liċenzji jsiru portabbli, l-awtorità lokali jkollha taqbel li jkollha waħda. M'hemm l-ebda pożizzjoni dwar dan bħalissa, għax ilha fuq l-aġenda tagħna minn madwar l-2006, meta l-gvern ta' Blair kien qed jagħti l-liċenzji, u ddeċidejna li ma mmorrux għal waħda.”