Leeds super-casino for Stanley Leisure
Bar operators in Leeds can expect fierce competition from a planned £125 million casino complex on a site next to Leeds United's Elland Road stadium.
Stanley Leisure has announced the Leeds development, as the second of its planned regional 'super casinos', made possible by the government's reform of gambling laws.
Centered on a casino, the seven-acre Leeds site will also include an hotel, bars, restaurants, leisure facilities and designer shops. Stanley Leisure said it is already talking to potential partners, which may create opportunities for bar operators to get involved.
Stanley Leisure is paying £5 million to acquire the site's owner, Leeds United Properties, a subsidiary of the football club's commercial arm, and estimates the development costs at £125 million.
Stanley chief executive Bob Wiper (pictured) said: "We are delighted to announce the development of this exceptional site in Leeds, which we believe is the best location for a casino in the North of England.
"We plan to build an exciting casino complex, to rival any other development in the UK, which will be a huge entertainment attraction of which the region can be proud."
The development is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2007. Stanley also plans to upgrade its existing Star City casino on Birmingham, already the largest casino in the UK, to regional status once the law allows.
Mr Wiper said: "We will continue to operate in a socially responsible manner and, further, we are committed to meeting all new requirements as determined by the future Gambling Commission."
