Poker Hall for Nottingham

Nottingham could become the poker capital of Europe with the opening of a new club.

Robert Yong is spending GBP 4m to transform a derelict site in Lenton into the continent’s biggest dedicated poker hall.

Dusk Till Dawn will accommodate 500 players – double Europe’s next biggest club in Vienna.

It will have 50 poker tables, a restaurant/bar, and a VIP lounge with a ‚high rollers‘ area.

Mr Yong hopes it will host televised tournaments with the world’s top players vying for prize pots of up to £1m.

Work has already begun on the site, which is being leased from Showcase Cinemas for 15 years.

The members-only club, which will employ 100 people, will open in April.

Mr Yong, 34, from Nottingham, said: „We’re aiming to bring the best tournaments in the world to Nottingham – it will be the poker centre of Europe.“

He has full planning permission from the city council and a 24-hour licence.

Mr Yong hopes to receive his Certificate of Consent from the Gaming Commission in December.