Casino scheme for Luneside offices

An office building opposite Ryelands Park could be transformed into Lancaster’s only casino.

The city council planning committee is expected to meet by the end of 2008 to discuss plans to convert two floors of the old Legend Communications building into a centre for gambling.

The proposals, put in by the building’s owner Andrew Brakewell of Hest Bank, would be for the ground floor and first floor of Riversway House on Morecambe Road to be used as a casino, with the top floor remaining available for office space.

Proposed opening hours for the casino would be 6pm to 4am seven days a week.

The application would be subject to Lancaster City Council granting a licence under the Gambling Act.

Members of the public can view and comment on the plans on-line at www.lancaster.gov.uk or by visiting Palatine Hall, Lancaster.

Earlier this year The Visitor reported plans by Morecambe licensees Chris Fearnley and Shelby Walker to turn the old Masonic Hall on Church Street, Lancaster, into a cabaret bar and casino but these have not reached the planning application stage.