Preston’s £500m jackpot if resort gets casino

10:45am Thursday 31st August 2006

By Gordon McCully

Preston has promised to be a real tower of strength for neighbouring town Blackpool in the resort's super casino bid - with the city drooling over an estimated 6,000 jobs and £500m economic spin off if it gets the go ahead.

A town hall chief said Preston would get a very tasty "piece of the action" should Blackpool's bid win.

Peter Kuit, director of environmental services at Preston City Council, will represent the authority in support of the resort's bid as the hearing takes place at the town's Imperial Hotel on Friday, September 8.

Mr Kuit told the Citizen that Preston recognised the significance of Blackpool's regeneration and that if it got the UK's first super casino it would be a massive boost for the city as well.

He said: "It will have a positive impact on our area. Several thousand jobs will be created within Preston itself.

"I don't think it is a conservative estimate that it could mean a £500 million boost to the local economy."

Mr Kuit added: "Blackpool could attract a lot more users, not just to the resort but to a wider area and we will all get a piece of the action."

Most of the jobs are expected to be created in the service sector, such as hotel and catering, and in retailing.

Mr Kuit said he was surprised cities such as Manchester and Sheffield were even bidding at all when they do not have the "resort characteristics" of Blackpool.

"We know we have to pull together and take on places like Manchester and compete with them," he said.

"We are endeavouring to make the city of Preston more attractive in our own respect.

London's Millennium Dome in Greenwich is also among the casino front runners but quick off the blocks Blackpool is among the fancied locations too, with judges considering regeneration and social impact as key factors - Blackpool matches that criteria.

The Casino Advisory Panel heard from supporters and opponents of plans to redevelop the Dome yesterday.

The UK's other bids - including Blackpool - will be heard at further meetings, with the panel due to give its final recommendations at the end of January.

Only one super-casino is initially being permitted under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005, to be selected from the provisional shortlist drawn up in May.

Bidders then included: Blackpool, Wembley, Cardiff, Glasgow, the Millennium Dome, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sheffield.