In its short statement to the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP), Manchester City Council makes a very strong representation of its case to be chosen to host Britain’s first regional casino. By 4pm this afternoon CAP will have finished its Examination in Public at the Manchester Golden Tulip Hotel and be collecting itself for tomorrow’s final appointment in Blackpool. Manchester’s bid for the casino is centred on Sportcity, and the Council maintains that no other project for the site could generate such benefits in terms of visitor numbers or job creation.

In conclusion to its 1500-word statement, the Council writes, “In the strength of its commercial case, in the paramount need and opportunity for comprehensive regeneration, in our innovative approach to social responsibility, Manchester represents the optimum location for a successful development which will provide both the best test for the regional casino concept in the UK and the best benchmark for any future developments.”

Blackpool remains a popular choice to host a super casino. It claims to have ‘the characteristics of a city population with the second densest built environment outside of London and an urban population across the Fylde coast of 260,000.’ It can also claim to be a seaside resort, thereby combining two government criteria as best possible test of social impact.

Apart from Brent Council, which withdrew its proposal for Wembley, the other seven shortlisted councils are keen to win the bidding process. The result of the CAP deliberations will not be known until after Christmas and the final decision will be made by the Government. If the construction of Britain’s super casino takes as long as England’s national stadium in Wembley, it will be far into the future before any studies in economic and social impact can be undertaken. (E-09.07.06)

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