Work to start soon on £100m casino and leisure development

A 23-storey skyscraper, the city’s tallest building, is destined for the former Rank Hovis Clarence Mills site, next to Drypool Bridge as part of the development by Manor Property Group.

The plans include accommodation for 590 students and a 53,000 sq ft casino underneath a plaza fronted by four restaurants and a 185-bed four star hotel.

Developers say it could employ up to 800 people and attract overseas visitors. Only eight cities in the UK are being allowed to develop larger casino complexes.

Hull Council awarded a provisional licence to Apollo Resorts & Leisure Ltd, which will run the leisure side of the operation.

Philip Akrill, of Manor Property Group, said it would “kick-start the stalled regeneration of the east bank of the river Hull, creating a first class leisure destination in the city centre.”

Apollo Resorts & Leisure managing director Mike Nuttall added: “We are very excited to be part of this scheme and to help deliver a significant number of local job, training and supply chain opportunities.”

Labour Group leader Coun Steve Brady added: “If it brings fresh impetus to the city and attracts visitors, it has to be a good thing.”

But the Rt Rev Richard Frith, Bishop of Hull said although it provided jobs, he had concerns about the negative effect of gambling on poor communities. He hoped the casino’s owners would ensure Hull was actually enriched by the presence of the casino “and that the money that will leave the pockets of the people of Hull is far less than the money that will come in through wages.”