Blackpool's Future Grim Without Super-Casino

BLACKPOOL, United Kingdom – As reported by Blackpool Today: "Blackpool's  tourism industry faces a slow and painful death without a super casino  That was the stark warning delivered
Blackpool Super-casino Plans  to those who have the power to make or break the resort's regeneration dream.

"The Casino Advisory Panel was presented with a strong case to grant the UK's first regional casino licence to the much-loved, but ageing seaside resort.

"Among those giving evidence to the five-man panel at yesterday's crucial Examination In Public hearing at the Imperial Hotel was Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

"Fun park bosses joined other leading tourism and business figures in predicting a grim future without the casino – seen by many as the only catalyst to kick-start regeneration.

"Colin Asplin, president of the Blackpool Hotel and Guest Association, stressed the importance of the bid for the small accommodation owners.

"He said: 'This year is probably one of the worst I have experienced and I have been here 13 years.'

"Mr Asplin added that up to 40,000 direct and indirect jobs depended on the hotel industry which needed something to stop it's decline.

"The panel, which will recommend to the Government which of seven bidding towns or cities they believe should get the multi-million pound prize, heard a number of submissions for those both for and against the Blackpool bid.

"The panel will now go away and discuss the seven bids from Blackpool, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield and London's Millennium Dome before delivering its recommendation to the Government at the end of this year."