Plans for a super casino in Manchester that would have rivalled Las Vegas caused controversy before finally being scrapped.
Back in 2007, when Tony Blair was Prime Minister, Manchester was chosen as the city to host the country's first super casino. In a surprise decision, a panel selected the east Manchester site next to the Etihad Stadium (then called the City of Manchester Stadium).
Manchester was chosen over bookies' favourite, Blackpool, as the destination for the new era in gambling, much to the seaside town's fury and despite having the backing of more than a hundred MPs. The surprise decision sparked Blackpool's then mayor, Allan Matthews, to angrily lay in to the decision.
