Place your bets! Two sites on Clacton seafront have passed the first hurdle towards becoming the resort's first casinos.

Tendring councillors last night gave the owners of the Criterion Restaurant, in Marine Parade West, the all-clear for their £1 million scheme which could create up to 100 jobs.

The Royal Hotel, in Marine Parade East, also got the go-ahead for its project on part of the ground floor.

It is unlikely that either casino will be up and running for at least three years.

A Government White Paper, which is expected to allow seaside towns to introduce casinos, is not expected to get through the House of Commons until around spring 2005.

Both establishments will also need licences to operate.

The schemes were welcomed by the councillors as a shot in the arm for Clacton's tourist industry.

Maurice Alexander (Lab, Golf Green) said it would be a boost for the town's sad recent history. "This can only help regenerate Clacton as a holiday resort," he said. "I do believe that these plans will happen and I admire the applicants for giving it a go."

Peter Balbirnie (Ind Con, Little Clacton) said the seafront area was in desperate need of an upgrade.

While Pierre Oxley (Con, Southcliff) supported the proposals, he doubted whether either would get off the ground.

Planning officer Peter Le Grys said the Criterion was looking to set up a casino on the lower and upper ground floor levels, while the Royal Hotel was looking towards the move as part of a scheme to bring the site back into use.

Published Wednesday October 23, 2002

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