Time called on major Leeds city centre casino
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The Grosvenor Casino opposite the Merrion Centre on Merrion Way will shut for good next month after the building’s landlord decided not to renew the lease.
In announcing it was closing the venue, parent company Rank Group said it wanted to concentrate all of its efforts into the other casino it owns on Westgate, which is currently being refurbished.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThere was no immediate figure on job cuts but the YEP understands that, while some staff will be redeployed, there will be some job losses.
A statement from Rank said: “We can confirm that we will be closing one of our casinos in Leeds, Grosvenor Casino Leeds Arena. The club is due to close in September. The reason for the closure is that the landlord has decided not to renew our lease.
“Our team members are going through a consultation process and will have the opportunity to seek alternative positions throughout the Rank Group, including within our Grosvenor Casinos throughout the UK, as well as our sister brand, Mecca.
“We have a second casino in Leeds, Grosvenor Casino Westgate and we will be refurbishing that site over the coming months to ensure we provide an even more exciting casino experience for the people of Leeds.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe closure is bad news for city’s Arena Quarter which has enjoyed a successful regeneration since the music venue opened in 2013.
The shutting of the casino comes as Leeds prepares to welcome a so-called “super casino” in the autumn at the new Victoria Gate complex. The casino, which will be the third largest in the UK when it opens will be called the Victoria Gate Casino and employ more than 200 people across a 50,000 sq ft establishment which can house 1,400 people. It will also boast one the biggest poker rooms in the country, alongside 24 gaming tables, 140 slot machines as well as 80 electronic table games.
A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: “We hope through the consultation process all the staff affected are able to secure alternative employment within the Rank Group.
“Should this process result in any redundancies, we will work with partner agencies in the city to offer all the support we can in order to identify new potential employment opportunities.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We are confident the Merrion Way site will have a new tenant shortly keen to be part of the increasingly vibrant Arena Quarter and city centre economy.”
Have you downloaded the free YEP app available on Android and iphone?