Statement by Barry Coleman, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council:

I am delighted to confirm that the Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sports has today identified Great Yarmouth as one of the eight preferred locations for a Large casino under the Government’s new proposals contained within the 2005 Gambling Act.

As we know Gt. Yarmouth, in its role as a multi-faceted leisure destination has been the location for two casino operators over many years. Building on that long experience, early last year the Borough Council submitted a bid to be able to grant licences for one Large and two Small casinos. The Casino Advisory Panel has obviously recognised the value of that experience in making its recommendations today.

The Borough Council recognised that the inward investment which a Large casino will bring, together with many other facilities such as a top class hotel, attractive bars and restaurant and modern entertainment venues, was something that we would welcome in Great Yarmouth.

Undoubtedly this news today will mean that we will see developers wishing to build exciting new facilities in the town, which will have the effect of identifying Gt. Yarmouth as a year-round resort, and providing effective depth and breadth to our leisure and tourism offer.

I can confirm that considerable interest has already been expressed in more than one site on the seafront, and given the underpinning which the smart new InteGREAT regeneration scheme has given to the town centre and seafront we can expect that this level of interest will increase in the coming weeks.

To that end the Borough Council has already established a Casino Stakeholder’s Panel, made up of a wide variety of community representatives. These include a senior officer from Norfolk Constabulary, Gt. Yarmouth Citizen’s Advice Bureau Manager, leading business representatives and Borough Council cabinet holders, all ready to meet the demands which this announcement brings. The job of this group will be to carefully consider all the social and business implications which may best benefit the residents and businesses of the town, and make their recommendations accordingly.

To help them in this work the East of England Development Agency has commissioned a study to be undertaken by independent consultants to look at all likely sites for a casino in Great Yarmouth. This will provide base line guidance to ensure that the town truly realises its undoubted potential as a leading UK holiday resort and showcase of the modern entertainment industry.

Indeed, with a range of other regeneration schemes currently underway or proposed, not least a large Outer Harbour scheme poised to start in a few short weeks, we may see Great Yarmouth fast becoming a holiday resort with an international dimension; and with this news today I can assure you that the Borough Council and its partner organisations will be ready to embrace these opportunities with both hands.

For further information please contact:

David Stannard
Regeneration Manager

Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF

Tel: 01493 846565

Email: ds@great-yarmouth.gov.uk