Casino boss sets out plans for winning formula

FAMILY-owned operator A&S Leisure Group, owner of the Napoleons Casino & Restaurant chain, is targeting a second greyhound venue to add to its portfolio following a major reburbishment of one of its Yorkshire casinos.

Dave Allen, owner of the Sheffield-based business which runs six casinos in Yorkshire and London, said he had no intention of selling the group, which has been operating for more than 30 years.

Mr Allen told TheBusinessDesk.com that despite the recession hitting the number of casino players coming through the group’s doors, A&S Leisure Group was upbeat about its future.

Profits were £3m on turnover of £31m last year, Mr Allen, who is also the majority shareholder of League Two football club Chesterfield, said.

He said although A&S Leisure had no immediate plans to expand its Napoleons Casino & Restaurant portfolio, it was looking to grow its greyhound stadium portfolio as it was a growth area.

Owlerton Greyhound Stadium in Sheffield is presently the only stadium in its stable.

Mr Allen said: “There’s one track we’re looking at but I can’s disclose where that is at present.”

On a possible sale of the business in the future, the 68-year-old said: “We’re not a seller; we’re a family business. We’ve had plenty of opportunities to sell the company. In fact, a few years ago we had the chance to sell for £80m but we didn’t.”

Mr Allen said changes in regulations on the gambling industry under the Labour government had led to higher taxes and uncertainty.

He added: “We’re in a recession. People say we’ve come out of it but we haven’t. But I’ve seen these times before and I’ve been in the nightclub business for 41 years.”

But he said the refurbishment of its Ecclesall Road casino in Sheffield, which has been completed at a cost of £1.8m, would give visitors the “wow effect”.

It includes a 110-seat restaurant and late bar which can be visited by non-casino players.

The new-look Four Seasons restaurant has moved to the first floor and has tripled in size, now seating 110 diners.

The casino and restaurant refurbishment will be marked with a VIP launch party tonight.

A&S Leisure Group director Mark Allen, who is Dave Allen’s son, said of the Eccleshall Road renovation: “It’s fantastic to see such excellent progress with the refurbishment and it’s really exicitng to see it all finally coming together.

“Napoleons has provided 34 years of fantastic evening entertainment but this makeover will really take dining and entertainment to the next level.”

A&S Leisure employs more than 500 staff across its six casinos including, two in Sheffield and one in London, Leeds, Hull and Bradford.