AN application for a licence to turn one of the most famous buildings in Leeds into a casino has been delayed.
Leeds magistrates were to decide whether to grant a gaming licence for the former Majestyk nightclub in City Square on April 7 but the d
ate has now been put back until after a Court of Appeal hearing which could affect their decision.
On April 7 two casino companies, Noble Organisation and Thistle hotels, will argue before judges in London that the statutory test to determine the grounds of gaming licences is being too narrowly interpreted by the courts.
Paddy Whur, partner at Walker Morris, the legal firm acting behalf of the firm leading the Majestyk project – Waterimage – said if the judges agreed with the firms it would be good news for the Leeds application.
He said: “Hopefully it will be helpful. If the parties in London win it will be accepted that it has been too restrictive a test and that it should assist us in our application in Leeds.”
Waterimage, a partnership between Luminar plc and Lucien Barriere, a French hotel and casino company, wants to turn the former Majestyk nightclub into Majestic Casino, a multi-entertainment venue with gaming tables, slot machines and cabaret, as well as bars and restaurants.
The statutory test for gaming licences relates to the level of demand, an issue already being questioned by firms with existing gambling hotspots in Leeds.
There are already several casinos in Leeds, including the Grosvenor Casino in Merrion Way in the city centre and Gala Casino on Westgate and London Clubs International is opening a £15m 65,000 sq ft casino Alea at Clarence Dock later this year.
Different
Mr Whur said LCI, Grosvenor and Gala had objected to the plans for Majestyk, arguing there wasn’t sufficient demand for another casino in the city.
But he said the proposals were for something different to anything already on offer.
“Lucien do it very differently, there’s a lot more entertainment, quality restaurants, it’s very, very different to the existing market in Leeds.”
A new date has not yet been set for the Leeds gaming licence hearing. The project to transform the listed building, which includes Jumpin Jaks, into an £11.5m casino, creating around 200 jobs, was unveiled earlier this month.
The refurbished venue would comprise a ground-floor space with slot machines and gambling tables and a stage for music and cabaret.
The upper balcony would be split into three areas, with a restaurant and rooms for private gaming.
Plans for the basement area include a sports bar with giant TV screens and scope for private hire and a disco.
The Majestic was one of the country’s largest cinemas when it was built in 1922, seating 2,392 people, and later became Majestyk nightclub.
If given the go-ahead the casino could be up and running in under a year.
debbie.leigh@ypn.co.uk
