Casino News

Bournemouth casino bid turned down

2008-02-12 12:25:28

The plans to build a casino at a disused ice rink in Bournemouth have been blocked by local magistrates, it has been reported.

Luminar Leisure had proposed an £8.5 million luxury gaming venue at the Westover Road site, but the authorities claimed there is not enough demand, according to the Dorset Echo.

The magistrates said that the nearby casinos owned by Stanley and Gala fail to pull in a significant amount of punters and suggested that a new operation would add to the oversupply of the market.

"We are very disappointed. I think we need to go away and think about it," said Bernard MacLoughlin, spokesman for development firm Waterimage.

His thoughts were echoed by a representative from Luminar, who remarked: "We feel the product was unique and different and we feel it's a shame we can't bring it to Bournemouth."

Luminar Leisure owns a series of nightclub chains, including Liquid and Oceana. It is expected that they will now use the old ice rink to create another nightspot.