A SECOND CASINO FOR TORBAY - A BUSTED FLUSH?

5.01.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Jul 2009

Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader Steve Darling has written to Torbay's Conservative Elected Mayor urging him to think again about having a second casino in Torbay.

A recent briefing for Councillors on the Casino legislation highlighted that a new casino would only be likely to lead to a couple of dozen extra jobs at best. Around the Country, 10 casinos have closed down, and the Star City Casino complex in Birmingham, which is entertainment based has had to curtail its activities.

Councillor Darling's letter says:

Earlier this year as part your budget, £50,000 was allocated to progress the second casino.

As you will no doubt be aware, the Liberal Democrats have been casino sceptic. After the recent training for Councillors, my scepticism has increased. It appears that the casino project will provide, if we are lucky, a couple of dozen extra jobs.

Ten casinos around the Country have closed down in recent years, and the Star City Casino complex in Birmingham (which is entertainment based) has had to significantly curtail its operations.

The Government has also changed the tax regime for casinos, and the UK is experiencing an economic downturn.

Given all the above I and many others are curious to know why you are so hell bent on this project, when there will be little, if any, gain for local people.

The £50,000 that you have set aside for this project, and the council officer time involved, would I am sure be better spent on something more worthwhile.

Commenting on his letter Councillor Darling said, "The Mayor's bid for a second Casino in Torbay was controversial from the start. As it is now obviously not going to be Torbay's economic saviour as the Mayor said it would be, it is time for him to think again on this project."