Refit planned after company completes purchase of Coventry casino
Posted by Gavin Smith on 29 Apr 2009 at 08:04
A large poker room and new electronic gaming machines will be part of a high-profile refit at a Coventry casino which has just undergone a successful sale.
One of Britain's biggest operators, Rank Group, has sealed a deal for the casino at the city's Ricoh Arena, buying it from the Isle of Capri.
The firm will now invest about £1 million in refurbishing it and is set to re-brand it as a 'G Casino', part of a series of facilities within its network of 33 British casinos.
Besides the poker room and machines, the new facility will have blackjack, roulette, and all the other traditional favourites. There will also be a restaurant, sports lounge and bar.
Phil Urban, managing director of Grosvenor Casinos, said: "I am excited at the prospect of bringing the G Casino to Coventry as part of the superb Ricoh Arena.
"My team is looking forward to working with Arena Coventry Limited, which operates the Ricoh Arena, to contribute to the success of one of the best multi-purpose leisure venues in the country."
Operators of the Arena itself, which is also home to Coventry City football club and a number of other facilities, were also delighted.
Daniel Gidney, chief executive of Arena Coventry Ltd, said: "This is very good news for the Ricoh Arena and for Coventry.
"Rank is a world-renowned leisure and entertainment group with a proven record in the gaming sector and adds to the increasing number of alliances the Ricoh has with global names."
Officials also said management of the casino would move to Grosvenor Casinos with immediate effect as a result of the £650,000 deal.
