Southend bids for 'regional casino' » Communities » 24dash.com

An Essex council has finalised its bid to run the country's first 'regional casino'.

Dozens of councils across the UK are submitting their bids to be the pilot site for the regional casino by the end of today (March 31). 

By 2007 the Government's Casino Advisory Panel will decide on the best location for the country's largest ever casino complex.

Southend's bid is part of a wider regeneration plan, which also involves the development of a conference centre and a four-star hotel facility.

The council believes the proposals will act as the catalyst to bring a steep change in the local economy that Southend needs.

Mark Murphy, Regeneration Services Manager at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: "A regional casino in Southend would be a catalyst for immediate and long term regeneration. 

"Combined with a major conference centre and four-star hotel facilities, the development will revitalise the central seafront area, reinforce Southend's position as a major visitor destination, and provide over 3,500 jobs locally."

Mike Lambert, Chief Executive of Renaissance Southend Ltd, said: "We want to put Southend back on the map.  We are very excited about the proposals and believe our bid document clearly demonstrates the strength of Southend's case to become home to the regional casino.  We need the regeneration opportunities that would come from a regional casino, and Southend offers the genuinely unique combination of being an established seaside destination resort with London, a major global city, on its doorstep."

George Kieffer, Deputy Chair of East of England Development Agency, said: "Southend has been identified as the town in the region where a regional casino would bring manifest and sustainable economic benefits and would be a transformational regeneration for the area.

"With long and trouble-free casino operations Southend is also best placed to ensure the success of a regional casino in the UK and attract the significant private sector investment required."