The Genting Casino that's part of the Waterfront Development has closed its doors permanently.

A statement from the owners said...

'Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close Genting Casino Southport as a result of the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic to the business over the last year.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their loyalty and our staff for all their hard work.

Customer memberships, points and benefits will still be valid at any of our other casinos across the UK.'

That's a shame for those who worked there

Would make an Ideal venue to turn into an up to date nightclub,and then demolish all of those decrepit ones in the west street area.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

Would make an Ideal venue to turn into an up to date nightclub,and then demolish all of those decrepit ones in the west street area.

Would make an epic nigh club, Not sure the locals would agree though :-)

Originally Posted by Ceam

Would make an epic night club, Not sure the locals would agree though :-)

Knowing those living in Maritime court,they would have it closed down,they even moaned about the music played from the carousel outside Silcocks amusements...But from where the casino is situated,they should'nt hear the noise from there.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

Would make an Ideal venue to turn into an up to date nightclub,and then demolish all of those decrepit ones in the west street area.

So ,offer people a choice of 1 nightclub and destroy several small businesses at the same time.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

..But from where the casino is situated,they should'nt hear the noise from there.

I would imagine it'd be the noise from people leaving in the early hours that would generate complaints rather than noise from within the building.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

Knowing those living in Maritime court,they would have it closed down,they even moaned about the music played from the carousel outside Silcocks amusements...But from where the casino is situated,they should'nt hear the noise from there.

I agree it's a great spot for a nightclub. If I had my way, Maritime Court would be demolished! How they ever got planning permission for that monstrosity....

In view of the proposed redevelopment of the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and the current situation regarding the (former) Bliss Hotel, the opportunity for revising the plan for the former is timely.

Unless I am mistaken, much of the floor space in that (Casino /Hotel) development was never occupied. Longer-term proposals for developing the northern end of the Marine Lake might also be included into the calculations. In addition, Guest Houses and small hotels in the vicinity are perhaps offering a rather unsustainable quality and style of holiday accommodation for the 21^st century.

The balance of hospitality, retail & leisure along with the superannuated feel of the built environment for all three sectors seems to call for a consistent, long-term vision complete with appropriate incentives for renovating the visitor attractions wholesale is in order.

Southport's Business Improvement District should perhaps develop into a more ambitious project. Perhaps the stake holders would do well to subscribe to an autonomous, comprehensive plan for the whole of the visitor economy businesses and the Council should give them space to get on with it!

The rest of Southport meanwhile could focus upon the needs of its permanent residents.

Originally Posted by Ceam

Would make an epic nigh club, Not sure the locals would agree though :-)

Dream on. Your obviously well over 50 and hanker back to the days of the Dixieland, Kingsway and Royales. Those days have gone. The day of the big venue is finished. When I wore a younger mans clothes it was all about having fun and a hot snog in the phone box out side. Now the kids stay in till midnight then go out looking for drugs. Sad but true.

Originally Posted by greenmachine

Dream on. Your obviously well over 50 and hanker back to the days of the Dixieland, Kingsway and Royales. Those days have gone. The day of the big venue is finished. When I wore a younger mans clothes it was all about having fun and a hot snog in the phone box out side. Now the kids stay in till midnight then go out looking for drugs. Sad but true.

Absolute rhubarb. How old must you be then? Drugs have always played a part in the night time economy. We had pot and LSD through the 60’s and 70’s. The rave scene of the 80’s saw the birth of acid house. The 90’s and 00’s were dominated by a massive upsurge in the use of ecstasy and super clubs. It was the smoking ban that finally brought an end to the club scene as we know it and the pandemic has probably been the final nail in the coffin. A recent article in insider.co.uk claims that up to 81% of clubs won’t make it past February without government support.

While it's a great shame that the staff have lost their jobs, it was hardly a slice of Vegas right here in Southport.

Even before the pandemic, it didn't seem well attended. We tried the restaurant in there a few times. Not impressed.

Apart from the hotel and eventually the 'Hungry Horse' microwave restaurant, those two buildings are white elephants. They've remained empty for the duration, not counting when space was given to art installations and a burger bar for a short time.

I've no idea what should happen with them, or how they should be used, but the current arrangements are definitely not working.