PLANS for a £6m casino, as part of a major development scheme in Wirral, face opposition from a local union.
Wirral TUC has launched a campaign against the Grosvenor casino which is set to be part of the Neptune development at Marine Point, in New Brighton.
However, Wallasey MP Angela Eagle has already given her backing to the plans for the casino and said it was “sad a handful of people” were trying to block it.
Leading the campaign against the casino Wirral TUC secretary Alec McFadden said he is “not anti- gambling” but added: “We now have a world-wide crisis of capitalism and banking with the highest-ever personal debt in the history of the UK in some parts of Wallasey, and Birkenhead, less than four miles from New Brighton, which has one of the highest cases of debt in the UK and mass unemployment.
“It seems amazing that building a casino is a priority to some people at a time when cuts are closing nurseries, schools, hospital wards and council services and state benefits in particular hitting the poorest and most disadvantaged people.”
Mr McFadden also said local people had been “astounded” when told of the casino plan, and he had checked planning applications and found no mention of it. However, Wirral Council last night confirmed the Marine Point scheme does have permission for the casino.
Last month, Grosvenor announced it was the latest investor in New Brighton and plan to spend £6m fitting out the new casino, creating 120 jobs.
