£8m round-the-clock casino set to transform former NUM base

The angular glass building in Barkers Pool, next to Sheffield City Hall, has been empty since soon after it was built in 1988, as the NUM instead decided to stay at a base in Barnsley.

Proposals to convert the “substantial and striking” post-modern building into a 25,000 sq ft casino with two restaurants and a rooftop bar were submitted by Barnsley-based leisure firm Brook Leisure, which will be leasing the building from the union.

Brook Leisure, which already operates both the nearby Embrace nightclub and Crystal bar in Carver Street, had its plans approved at a meeting of Sheffield Council’s city centre, south and east planning board earlier this week.

A spokesman for the company said yesterday that the casino should create around 130 new jobs and is set to open early in 2013.

The spokesman added: “Brook Leisure has worked closely with the NUM and their advisors over the past few months and will look to commence works on the only casino project in the heart of the UK’s fourth-largest city during the spring of 2012.

“The scheme is due for completion during the first quarter of 2013.”

Prior to the council’s planning meeting, seven letters of objection – including one from City Hall bosses – had been submitted to the authority, citing concerns over issues including noise.

Green Party councillor Rob Murphy said that residents living in that part of the city centre “already encounter late-night noise and anti-social behaviour, from people frequenting nearby bars as well as noise from taxis”.

At the planning meeting, committee member Coun Janice Sidebottom said the opening hours of the new casino should “be in line with other premises in the area, which stay open no later than 4am”.

However, planning officer Lucy Bond told her that casinos are “quite quiet”, with people “coming and going infrequently”.

Although the casino will be open 24 hours a day, the bar and restaurant must close at 1am and the roof terrace, to be referred to as the “sky bar” will shut at 12.30am.

Brook Leisure already has a casino licence for Embrace, on the other side of Barkers Pool, which will be transferred to the new establishment.

Gary Hunt, chief operating officer of the Brook Group – of which Brook Leisure is a part – said: “The NUM building is one of Sheffield’s most prominent buildings but has been left behind throughout the city’s recent regeneration activity.

“It’s hard to believe that the UK’s fourth-largest city does not have a city centre casino.

“We are incredibly excited at the prospect of bringing the building back to life as a unique and new entertainment destination which will, in turn, create new employment opportunities.

“We would also like to thank the council for their support as part of the planning process and hope that they will continue to support us in our efforts to create further opportunities and see this building finally brought into use.

“We are in discussions with two nationally-renowned restaurant operators not currently represented in the city and will announce the occupiers for the building in the new year.”

The casino design has been drawn up by Sheffield-based Axis Architecture, while Brook Leisure was represented by BSW Property Consultants during the planning process.

Ian Wrightson, a director of BSW Property Consultants, added: “This represents excellent news for the continued regeneration of Sheffield city centre, adding to its existing entertainment ‘offer’ and ensuring it continues to compete with other major city centres as a destination.”

[email protected]