Paisley enters casino race

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Paisley has entered the race to gain one of the UK’s new casino licences.

Renfrewshire Council has officially submitted a bid to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for Renfrewshire to be granted a licence for one of the eight large and eight small casinos which will be created under new gambling legislation.

And the Council has made clear that any new casino would be directed to Paisley town centre to boost the regeneration of the town and surrounding area.

Depending on the size of casino awarded, Paisley could see a jobs boost of around 100 jobs and an extra £5m added to the local economy by 2015.

Renfrewshire’s Licensing Board has already supported in principle the concept of a casino based on the economic and regeneration benefits offered by such a scheme.

“The competition to gain one of the new casino licences will be intense. However, I am confident that Paisley can make an outstanding case that it offers the infrastructure, investment opportunities and employment and economic benefits necessary for the location of a casino” said Councillor John McDowell, Convener of Renfrewshire’s Licensing Board.

“A casino in Paisley Town Centre would support Renfrewshire Council’s focus on investment in strategic town centres, bring employment and training opportunities, promote tourism and stimulate wider investment in Renfrewshire.

“There’s been a lot of investment in and around Paisley in recent years with the Xscape project, the £12m Anchor Mills redevelopment, and Renfrewshire Council’s £10m investment in environmental improvements in the town centre.

“I firmly believe that a casino offers a unique opportunity to diversify the tourism and leisure sector and encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more.

The Council would aim to support the development through existing job creation and training programmes which provide work experience, training and employment opportunities.

The regeneration prospects of a casino development would assist some of the most deprived communities in Renfrewshire.

There is already an agreed employment partnership at Renfrew Riverside involving Renfrewshire Council, SE Renfrewshire, the main commercial developers and Job Centre Plus.

A similar agreement would be sought for the development of a casino to ensure that local communities benefit from the opportunities provided.

“Overall, there is a clear evidence that a casino in Paisley would significantly boost economic growth in Renfrewshire. Crucially, it would deliver job and training opportunities boosting not only economic growth but supporting the regeneration of deprived areas.

“Physically, the development of a casino would help the continuing regeneration of Paisley Town Centre and act as a catalyst for further investment.”

A decision on which towns and cities will gain the large and small casinos will be announced early next year following an assessment of the applications by the Casino Advisory Panel.

Press Release: 5 April 2006