LEEDS United fans are today given their first glimpse of how Elland Road’s redeveloped West Stand could look.
As previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, United are bidding for a licence for a US-style ‘new generation’ gaming complex.
Leeds is among only eight towns and cities nationwide given permission for one of the casinos, which will be three times the size of the current UK norm.
Now United have released a computer-generated image of the stylish way the attraction will be incorporated into a redeveloped West Stand, should they win the licence race.
The club has also revealed that it would not run the casino itself but would instead bring in what it describes as a “specialist partner”.
Initial discussions have already taken place with several possible operators.
Club chief executive Shaun Harvey said today: “The potential of the casino coming to Leeds United is an exciting one and fits perfectly within our business plan of increasing revenue streams on non-matchdays, both in isolation and to complement either our existing facilities or those that are planned.
“The increase in non-matchday income will allow us to further invest on the field to see the return of Premier League football at Elland Road.”
United’s rival licence bidders are:
l Global Gaming Ventures, which wants the casino to be based in the city’s new £600m Eastgate Quarters development;
l Grosvenor Casino, which has earmarked a site bounded by Eastgate, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Playhouse Square as the centre’s home;
l London Clubs Leeds, which wants the casino to take its existing Alea gaming complex at Clarence Dock to another level;
l Rushbond, which has made the centre part of its plans for the redevelopment of the former Majestyk nightclub on City Square.
Leeds City Council is expected to decide on the successful bidder in spring next year.
paul.robinsons@ypn.co.uk
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