by Renee Israel
The Malaysian gambling group, Genting, announced that it has selected the
Uxbridge-based Galliford Try to construct a new £120 million casino and
leisure complex in Birmingham.
The resort, which will include a casino, a four star hotel, a spa, retail
outlets, movie houses and conference and banqueting facilities, will be spread
over nearly 600,000 square feet, and will be known as Resorts World at the NEC.
The project with Galliford Try is said to be worth around £80 million, and
the casino will be constructed under the terms of a 'large' casino license
awarded to Birmingham.
Work is scheduled to start in the first half of 2012 and the complex is set
to be completed in 2014.
Galliford Try was thrilled to hear that it had won the bidding process. The
group's Chief Executive, Greg Fitzgerald said: "We are delighted to be selected
as preferred bidder by Genting UK for what will be one of the most significant
leisure and entertainment developments to be built in the UK in recent years."
"We have a proven ability to deliver multiple mixed-use developments on a
large scale, and this project will provide a tremendous addition to our growing
portfolio in the commercial sector," he added.
New Casino Will Positively Impact Birmingham
According to the Resorts World at the NEC website, the new
resort is set to positively impact the Solihull Metropolitan Borough of
Birmingham as well as the wider area.
For one, it will create over 1,100 full time equivalent job
opportunities - the majority for local people. In addition, it will also
contribute more than £25 million per annum in added value to the Solihull
economy.
The new casino planned for the resort will provide one of the
most adventurous gambling projects in the UK to date, incorporating bingo halls,
sports betting, poker facilities, as well as separate VIP gaming areas.
The Genting hotel on site will be a four star, 180 bed offering
situated above the resort, with superb views and service. There will also be
five star suites available on the hotel's upper floor.
A 6,000 square foot area of spa services will offer the latest
treatments to pamper guests. In addition, a ten screen cinema will feature the
latest 3D technologies with digital processing and sound.
