Jobs jackpot for Wolverhampton under casino plans

Rubicon in Temple Street wants to expand into the empty Beach nightclub, formerly the Dorchester, while keeping its premises next door.

Bosses would have the casino open 24 hours a day, including offering a "Las Vegas" style buffet around the clock. The move would see 40 staff kept on with 100 more workers recruited. The former Beach nightclub has been sitting empty in the city for around seven years.

Bosses will have to compete with Wolverhampton Racecourse which has launched its own bid to have the country's first ever "Racino" by adding a casino to its site. Its proposal would create 280 jobs.

Wolverhampton City Council has the power to award one licence for a new casino.

It was one of only 16 authorities that were given the right to grant a Casino Premises Licence for a small casino, by Parliament in 2008. The casino will be allowed to have 80 slot machines and prizes of up to £4,000.

Abandoned

The Beach, briefly known as The Dawn UK, was due to be demolished to make way for the £300 million Summer Row shopping centre. But the scheme was abandoned as developers were unable to raise cash.

Rubicon is owned by Stockport based Casino 36 Ltd. Its managing director Adrian Ballard said the revamp would be a "multi-million pound project".

He said: "We would give both premises an extensive refit and refurbishment, we would also be able to offer virtual horse racing, 80 £4,000 jackpot slots and an extensive range of exciting new table games. We would also have nightly live entertainment and two restaurants, one offering a 24 hour Las Vegas style buffet."

The applications are subject to public consultation until November 27.