La Grande Mare plan for casino

GUERNSEY could still get a casino - at La Grande Mare. Joint proprietor Chris Vermeulen confirmed yesterday that it had some very exciting plans for the future development of the hotel, part of which incorporated a casino.

The hotel obtained planning permission for one in 2003 ahead of bidding for the licence, subsequently pulling out of the running order to leave St Pierre Park as the sole bidder. Commerce and Employment announced this week that its active search for a replacement venue would end, but now La Grande Mare has emerged as an interested party once more.

Mr Vermeulen said it was reissuing its planning permission as part of a series of applications for elaborate development plans.

'It has been a very unfortunate episode which has cost a lot of tax- payers' money, but I suppose it is business. I am disappointed that after all this, St Pierre Park has not pursued it,' he said.

'We are very sorry to see it end up like this, but from our point of view we have tremendous potential to realise with our hotel and it may be that we reconsider the casino. We are keeping our options open.'

But Deputy Dan Le Cheminant, who has always been vocal in his opposition to a casino, remained sceptical of the positive contribution it would make. He said it was unfortunate but not surprising that the proposed development at St Pierre Park Hotel would not go ahead.

'I have never been in favour of it because I just don't believe it would add anything to the island. But this is something I forecast right from the start, as I simply could not see it happen.'

Having visited a casino in the Isle of Man, he did not think it was a fitting image for Guernsey and thought that such a venture would not be profitable - perhaps St Pierre Park pulling out demonstrated that, he said.

'With our small population and number of tourists I don't think it would have a big-enough catchment and no business would want to run at a loss.'

Deputy Le Cheminant claimed money would clearly have been lost from setting up the Gambling Control Commission, to no avail.

It currently owes the States £100,000 on a loan agreed when it was established at the end of 2003.

'It is costing us money just to keep it going,' he said.

However commission chairman Peter Morgan said it was lying dormant with minimal running costs, ready and waiting to regulate a casino if and when it became a reality.

'As we are not doing anything, we are not claiming any money. Our only expense is sending in our annual accounts, which is miniscule.'