City of Westminster (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A “world class” casino and restaurant are set to open inside London’s iconic Trocadero after Westminster Council approved a key planning application.
Genting Casinos UK’s plans, which include converting the 13 Coventry Street location into a two-story gambling facility that can accommodate up to 1,250 people, were overwhelmingly approved by Westminster City council members. In order to replace the defunct Bubba Gump restaurant and Opium nightclub, which closed in 2019 following a shooting, Genting Casinos applied to renovate the Trocadero’s first floor and basement.
The council is reviewing Genting Casinos’ application for a second 24-hour license this Thursday, October 9.
James Alexby, Chief Financial Officer at Genting Casinos, estimates that the refurbishment will cost £40 million and include the installation of a new storefront. At a planning meeting last week, he informed council members that the casino might create 350 new jobs in the council.
Mr. Axelby further dismissed worries that the casino would be “alcohol-led,” stating that it was focused on providing patrons with a “first-class” gaming experience and that drinks shouldn’t make up more than 7% of total income.
He told Westminster City’s Planning Committee last Tuesday (September 30):
“We’ve worked hard to ensure these proposals are responsible and carefully thought through. At the heart of the scheme is a robust operational management plan which addresses matters such as dispersal, noise and smoking so the venue operates smoothly and respectfully within the area.”
Housing a sizable casino with many floors of gaming at the Trocadero would “represent a massive intensification of gambling and alcohol-led activity,” according to a Soho Society official.
They said:
“This is not simply a refurbishment of existing uses. It is a step scale change in impact. Casinos of this size encourage late-night drinking and increased drinking comes with increased crime and antisocial behaviour.”
Council planning officers stated that the addition of a casino is an upgrade over the site’s former use as a nightclub and that there is no legal change in use. They claimed that because casinos are open around-the-clock, there aren’t usually any “mass exits” early in the morning and that they don’t draw “large, high spirited” crowds. According to officers, casinos are subject to stringent regulations.
Council members want a bike rack to be placed in the common area by Genting UK. Because there wasn’t enough room in Piccadilly, the council’s roads division turned down the company’s initial offer to do so, but Cllr Robert Rigby urged officers to reach a new deal.
He said:
“We are missing an opportunity. This application, with no disrespect, is a casino. They’re going to be making quite a lot of money, which is great, good for the economy. But we have an opportunity to get some money here for some cycle racks.”
Additionally, Genting Casinos UK is asking to move its gambling license from the Curzon Street location of the Crockfords Club to the Trocadero. Genting Casinos UK will have to give up one of its gambling licenses in the borough in order to operate the venue, as Westminster City does not authorize new casino licenses, a council officer at Tuesday’s meeting stated.
Crockfords Casino shut down in 2023, according to Genting Casinos. The company’s plan at the time was to move it to a different location in Westminster City.
What are local residents’ main objections to the scheme?
Residents are concerned that the addition of a large casino will add noise, disorder, and antisocial behaviour, which is an existing problem in the busy West End area close to Coventry Street.
The Trocadero is already a busy pedestrian thoroughfare. The casino and large restaurant may cause more congestion in the area, affecting local foot traffic, public transport and roadways, making access to the area less enjoyable.
Some feel that this form of large scale leisure development will change the historic character and feeling of community for the Trocadero building and the surrounding neighborhood, undermining or destroying the cultural heritage of the area.
