Casino wars in city
Casino war was hotting up in Wolverhampton today – with one venue hoping to extend its opening hours until 6am ahead of the impending arrival of two more gaming clubs.
Gala Casino in Whitmore Street in the city centre has applied to stay open longer just weeks after losing a battle to stop a new rival casino being created in the city.
The firm had made a bid to stop entertainment group Clermont Leisure obtaining a licence to operate a luxury club at the Low Level Station development off Wednesfield Road.
But magistrates decided to grant the licence and now the new gambling place could be open within 12 months.
Dunstall Park Racecourse was also last week given planning permission to create Europe's first "racino" in the city.
It means Wolverhampton could become the gambling capital of the Black Country with three casinos set to be operating within the next three years.
Wolverhampton City Council confirmed an application to vary Gala Casino's current licence had been received. Currently it is allowed to serve alcohol and entertain until 4am.
Anyone wanting to back or contest the proposal must write to the Civic Centre before September 7.
Clermont Leisure is set to move onto the Low Level site within weeks.
As well as the casino, it will be operating a leisure club and a restaurant, all of which will be created inside the restored Grade II listed station building.
Last week city council planning chiefs waived through the plans for the racecourse, which will provide 250 new jobs and turn it into one of the region's biggest attractions.
Proposals for a hotel extension and casino at the Arena Leisure-owned venue have just one final hurdle to clear before building work can begin.
The Government Office for the West Midlands will now make a decision on whether the hotel extension, incorporating the casino and 116 extra bedrooms, can be built on green belt land.
It will be the second time the council has referred the scheme to the Government.
