Nottingham city centre shoppers have had their say on what they would like to see in the beloved Cornerhouse after a unit was made available following the closure of a popular casino. Birmingham-headquartered Genting Casino decided to shut its venue at the Cornerhouse due to "commercial considerations".
In a statement on Instagram, a spokesperson for FHP Property Consultants has now said: "The former Genting Casino at lower ground floor is available to let on a sublease or assignment. It's part fitted as a casino but suitable for a wide variety of uses (STP and landlord consent).
"Offering 10,355 sqft of prime leisure space with prominent entrance in the main Drum entrance." It is unclear how many staff worked at the Nottingham casino.
Are you planning an event for King Charles III’s Coronation? Let us know here
Members of the casino, in Burton Street, were sent a text message on Monday (February 13) informing them the venue was permanently closed. Members were also told offers and points they had built up remained valid at any of the other Genting Casinos.
Though Nottingham residents told Nottinghamshire Live that the decision to close the venue was "sad", an opportunity for another business to move into the Cornerhouse is now available. Shoppers have shared their thoughts on what they would like to see there.
Aspley resident Alan Reid, 62, said: "For starters, I think it's good that we'll get to see something different in there. My thoughts are that I wouldn't mind seeing a sort of high-end restaurant inside.
"Something that caters to older people. TGIs, Wagamama, those sorts of places around there are nice but they're for the younger crowds.
"I can't say it's massively surprising that it [the casino] is closing. We're still in a time where people can't really spend a lot of money - so they might not be doing as well as they were. You see it with a lot of places, not just casinos."
The nearest Genting now to Nottingham is down the A52 in Derby. Genting was one of the anchor tenants within the Cornerhouse - a multi-use leisure complex, home to high street restaurants and bars, as well as Cineworld and the Lost City Adventure Golf.
Olivia McIntosh, 43, said: "It's sad because there are a lot of places closing down in the city now. A lot of places are bordered up.
"There are already quite a few casinos, though, so I don't see it being much of a problem for people who want to go to one. I suppose it's a good chance to have something new in there.
"I'm not really sure what that should be. There's already a few restaurants and a bar, so something a bit different might be exciting.
"Although if they choose to go with another bar I can't say I'd complain!" Genting was hit hard by the closure of its sites amid the restrictions imposed under the coronavirus lockdown.
Back in July 2020, the company said 1,642 UK employees were at risk of redundancy as part of a consultation process. Several of its casinos closed as a result.
Other casinos, run by different operators, remain open in Nottingham city centre. They include Grosvenor Casino, in Maid Marian Way, Alea Casino, in Upper Parliament Street, and Admiral Casino: The Lion Nottingham, in Clumber Street. Dusk Till Dawn is also a short drive away at the Boulevard Retail Park, off the A52 Clifton Boulevard in Lenton.
READ NEXT:
