A Blackpool travel agent has taken a punt on the Lancashire town being chosen for the UK’s first super-casino by trademarking the name “Lancs Vegas”.
Save‘n’Sail Cruise Village managing director Philip Nuttall hopes the famous seaside resort that made its name in the Victorian era will rediscover some of its former glory if the casino is given the go-ahead by boosting inbound and domestic tourism.
Blackpool is joint favourite with London’s Millennium Dome to be chosen for the casino after being shortlisted by the Government on Wednesday.
“If it all goes ahead there is no reason why we cannot look at developing a travel firm to take advantage of the increase in hotels and flights coming into Blackpool airport,” Nuttall said.
“Other places like Manchester and Liverpool have made massive investments and you can see the benefits. It’s key to bringing people back to UK towns and cities. Blackpool Council has done a fantastic job putting together the bid and I hope it gets it.”
Blackpool hopes the redevelopment of the 23-acre sight south of the iconic tower and including the famous Golden Mile will attract up to 5.5 million extra tourists on top of its 16 million annual visitors. Plans include the casino, a conference centre, leisure and retail facilities and five-star hotels.
The Tourism Society chairman David Curtis-Brignell said: “This is a great opportunity for a resort like Blackpool to regenerate, but it will have to look at the infrastructure. It won’t be able to become Las Vegas, or Lancs Vegas, over night.”
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