Managers of the Genting Casino have announced the closure of the chain's venue within The Cornerhouse in Nottingham. The news follows a consultation with staff and bosses at the Birmingham-headquartered casino chain said the decision to close was down to "commercial considerations".
In a statement, a spokesman for Genting Casinos said: “We have finished a consultation process with all staff at our Nottingham casino. The process lasted for 30 days and we have explored all avenues and come to the decision that we will be closing the Nottingham casino due to current commercial considerations.
"Genting Casinos has a duty of care to all our employees and will be supporting our staff accordingly as we have done through the consultation review. Genting continues to successfully run 34 casinos across the UK, including in the nearby cities of Derby and Leicester.”
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It's unclear how many staff worked at the Nottingham casino. Members of the casino, in Burton Street, were sent a text message on Monday (February 13) informing them the venue was permanently closed. Members were also told offers and points they'd built up remained valid at any of the other Genting Casinos.
The nearest Genting now to Nottingham is down the A52 in Derby. Genting was one of the anchor tenants within The Cornerhouse - a multi-use leisure complex, home to high street restaurants and bars, as well as Cineworld and The Lost City Adventure Golf.
Some shoppers said they were dismayed to hear of the loss of the venue. Hyson Green resident Mark Turner, 58, said: “That’s another place gone which isn’t a surprise these days. Everything can be done online, it’s just what’s happening now.”
Lenton receptionist Linda Edwards, 45, added: “I didn’t go to the casino really but it’s sad another place is closing. It feels like the high street is dying especially after coronavirus, where we all adapted to online.
"I’ll admit that most the time I’ll do everything online when I can because it’s easier. But then you get places shutting so I think we should make more of an effort to get out into the stores again.”
Senior business leaders said whilst it was sad to see the loss of the casino, the closure presented an opportunity for other companies to move into the vacant space. East Midlands Chamber director of policy and external affairs, Chris Hobson, said: “The Cornerhouse is an integral part of Nottingham’s city centre commercial mix, providing a centrepiece for people to spend their leisure time and acting as a magnet for other businesses to locate nearby.
“We have seen a number of major chains in the entertainment and hospitality industries struggle over the past year due to the twin crises in the cost of living and cost of doing business.
“While it is always sad to see established names disappear and jobs lost, churn is a part of the evolution of any city centre and new businesses will no doubt be keen to take advantage of such opportunities, creating new jobs and exciting amenities in their place.”
Genting was hit hard by the closure of its sites amid the restrictions imposed under the coronavirus lockdown. Back in July 2020 the company said 1,642 UK employees were at risk of redundancy as part of a consultation process.
Several of its casinos closed as a result. Other casinos, run by different operators, remain open in Nottingham city centre. They include Grosvenor Casino, in Maid Marian Way, Alea Casino, in Upper Parliament Street, and Admiral Casino: The Lion Nottingham, in Clumber Street. Dusk Till Dawn is also a short drive away at the Boulevard Retail Park, off the A52 Clifton Boulevard in Lenton.
Nottinghamshire Live has contacted the Cornerhouse for comment.
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