Today the Casino Advisory Panel announced that 16-1 outsider Manchester would host the first super casino in the UK.
Beating both Blackpool and Greenwich, the final decision came as a shock to many and a blow to ailing Blackpool.
Blackpool Council have spent a lot of time and money improving the seafront while the casino site, inland, would lure people to Blackpool that might otherwise go abroad for their high jinx.
Blackpool Council's Chairman, Steve Weaver, said he was 'surprised and hugely disappointed' with the choice saying that the future for the town was 'uncertain'. Visitor numbers have been in steady decline now for several years despite efforts to move the resort on from a reputation for being crass and tacky.
Blackpool has relied heavily on the success of the bid, something that the Casino Advisory Panel said was a mistake. They suggested that few social benefits would come from the casino due to its dependence on visitors.
It seems strange to award Manchester the super casino over Blackpool, as by comparison Blackpool is far more impoverished and in need of regeneration than Manchester. With the Olympics in 2012, it was no surprise that London wasn't successful, but while you can disagree with the Casino Advisory Panel's final decision, the fact that they say Blackpool has perhaps relied too heavily on receiving a casino perhaps rings true.
Unfortunately for Blackpool, their bid for a super casino means that they have not been considered for either the 'large' or 'small' casinos, and will have to wait until at least the next parliment to re-apply for a super casino.
It will be interesting to see how Blackpool will next attempt to turn around the declining tourism numbers because Blackpool's problems are also the Pleasure Beach's problems.
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Labels: Blog, PleasureBeachBlackpool
