Casino boss in challenge to landlord
THE boss of the Manchester 235 casino says its performance has proved “resilient” in the wake of the worst crisis the leisure sector has seen in a generation.
Andy Orr, who joined London Clubs International to launch its flagship North West site in 2006, says that despite the success of 235, the landlords of the Great
Northern Warehouse – London-based property asset management firm Capital & Regional could and should be doing more to promote the location.
Capital & Regional have been trying to sell the 10-acre site since last year – a £70m sale to Manchester City Council collapsed in February.
Mr Orr said: “Manchester 235 represented a major investment – £13m from London Clubs and we are pleased with the response from the city and the wider region too.
“The Great Northern development was something of a white elephant before and I feel the landlords need to do more still to push it as a destination and also to fill the unused units.”
Manchester 235, which occupies 48,000 sq ft of the development, is growing in popularity and welcomes between 5,000 and 7,500 people a week.
Mr Orr says: “I think 235 is successful as a venue, not just a casino – 60% of our customers don’t game – they come for the restaurants and the bar or the live music.
“When we opened this venue the vision was to move the perception of casinos away from being run-down, smokey and seedy to somewhere where couples come for a night out and a meal, and I think we have achieved that.”
235 has recently relaunched one of its two restaurants, Linen, with a new menu and a number of promotions, sparking a 70% jump in bookings.
Mr Orr, who ran the Manchester Apollo, the Hammersmith Odeon, The Trafford Centre and was commercial director of the Lowry Theatre before moving to LCI said: “We grew quickly after the launch and the changes to gaming laws, which no longer require membership, have also helped too.
“Food and beverage income has increased steadily in the last few months, but we are never complacent.
“We know times are hard for many people and have sought to provide a really good night out, with value for money pricing in food and drink.”
Although some casinos open 24 hours a day, Mr Orr admits to being unsure as to its viability.
“We’re in the process of applying for a licence to open 24 hours, but this is more to do with giving us an extra option,.we don’t have plans to do this – there is a debate surrounding the business case for 24 hour trade.”
