UK-based Jomast Developments has been awarded Middlesbrough’s large casino licence.
The licence is one of only eight such large licences in the UK granted under the 2005 Gambling Act and allows for a gaming floor of up to 150 slot machines.
In addition to the casino, Jomast’s £25m scheme, which will transform the vacant Gurney House building in the centre of the town, will include a luxury hotel, a budget hotel, banqueting facilities, restaurants and a multi-storey car park.
“We are delighted to have won the casino competition and this will enable us to revitalise this important town centre site,” said Adam Hearld. “Our vision is to create a major new casino-based leisure and entertainment destination that will have far-reaching benefits for Middlesbrough.”
Middlesbrough Council has granted a provisional statement which the company can apply to convert into a large casino license in due course.
“The potential for a scheme like this for the town on the back of the casino licence is obviously very exciting and bringing Gurney house back into use after so many years of being empty would be a real achievement,” said Councillor Charlie Rooney, executive member for regeneration. “This is a further boost for the town centre.”
Jomast will now commence a full marketing campaign aimed at securing a casino operator, although a number of parties have already expressed interest in the site. A planning application for the scheme is now being prepared, with the first phase of the scheme expected to commence next year.
