Supplier News
UK – Four operators still interested in stalled Middlesbrough licence
By Phil - 4 December 2014
The delayed development of Middlesbrough’s ‘large’ casino licence could finally get under way with Stockton-based developers Jomast putting forward a three phase development programme.
It has signed an agreement with hotelier Premier Inn to complete phase 1, which if approved would see the construction of an 83 bed hotel, and confirmed it has ‘positive interest’ from four casino operators.
A report to Middlesbrough Council’s Executive said the three phase development would increase the appeal of the overall scheme each phase providing ‘greater confidence to both investors and prospective occupiers that the scheme is both deliverable and successful.’
The report blamed the economic downturn for having ‘a major impact in taking schemes forward nationally.’
“Casino and hotel development across the country have proved difficult and Middlesbrough has proved no exception to that, which is the reason why the development has not progressed as quickly as anticipated,” the report stated. “However, with the upturn in the wider economy, development in Middlesbrough is improving across a number of sectors, including the hotel market, as proved with the development of the Holiday Inn Express. Unfortunately the casino market is not showing the same appetite for development but it is anticipated that as the economy continues to grow this will change accordingly.”
