Tourism and economy will gain from casino'

THE Channel Islands' first casino could be open in less than two years. The States will decide later this month whether to accept CI Traders' application for a £13m. casino development at St Pierre Park Hotel. The Tourist Board's recommendation for the concession is subject to an estimated £75m. investment proposed for the overall redevelopment of the hotel on a three-phased approach. 'It represents the largest-ever private investment in the Bailiwick's hospitality industry and visitor economy,' said board vice-president Brian Sheriff. When the idea was first mooted by the States in 1998, it was not just for a casino but to attract people to invest in the island and build a new hotel, but the economics of this were beyond possibility, said Mr Sheriff. Two other major hotels - La Grande Mare and the OGH - were in the running but decided that it was not financially viable to go ahead, he added. 'That left St Pierre Park Hotel, who were not aware when they made their full presentation to the board that they were the only applicants. The board was extremely impressed with the presentation and fully supported it,' said Mr Sheriff. 'I believe that Guernsey tourism has turned the corner this year after a few years of struggle, although we maintained good levels compared to other places.' The board backs the plans and is supported by the Advisory and Finance Committee. 'It will have a huge benefit for this hotel and tremendous knock-on effects for the whole tourist industry. People in the tourism business will see that a company is investing and this will encourage them to invest or further invest. 'I realise that there are members of the States who, for personal reasons, are against any forms of gambling and are therefore against a casino. But I would ask them at the time of the vote to look at the tremendous benefits to tourism as a whole and to the economic benefit for the island. 'Anybody against gambling and with considerations about addiction can be reassured that there will be very tight controls carried out by the casino operators. All the details will be controlled by the Gambling Commission.' The hotel will have to close for a period during the first phase of work, but it is not yet known for how long or when. 'We are delighted to be the preferred applicant to hold the first ever casino licence in the Channel Islands,' said Philip Cropley, chief executive of Bucktrout & Co. Ltd, who looks after CI Traders' Guernsey hospitality operation. 'If approved, the likely start date is probably October 2004, but we are looking at ways of bringing that forward.' But he stressed that the refurbishment was about much more than just a casino. He said the Guernsey Hotel and Tourism Association believed the investment represented a real commitment to the island. 'It recognises that the taxpayer should not have to pick up the bill,' said Mr Cropley. The applicant will foot the cost of the hotel casino concession application (£400,000) and the annual administration costs of the Guernsey Gambling Control Commission (estimated at £350,000 per annum). * The vision for the future of St Pierre Park would be met in a three-phase masterplan. The Tourist Board will recommend to the House that the casino licence be granted for phase one, but subject to further developments being completed within a specified timescale, or subject to particular conditions. The first phase is estimated to cost £13m. and the three combined phases a total of £25m.