After months of intense debate, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has finally ditched plans for a Las Vegas-style super-casino in Manchester.
Although reports have confirmed that the development of 16 smaller casinos across the UK will still go ahead, Whitehall insiders have dubbed Manchester’s regional casino plan "dead in the water."
Angie Robinson, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said it was unfair to win a competition and then have the first prize taken away.
"I am somewhat surprised that if the story is correct it has come out in media speculation," she said. "This will be a massive blow to desperately needed regeneration plans for the deprived area of east Manchester."
"What annoys me more than anything is this man [Brown] came to Manchester, and he actually voted for the casino," added Barbara Taylor, a resident of east Manchester and campaigner for the super-casino.
The planned £265m casino, which would have housed more than 1,200 unlimited jackpot machines, would have created 3,000 jobs and heralded the regeneration of Manchester’s dilapidated eastlands.
