Casino licence opportunity attracts no interest

No operators have expressed an interest in running a casino in Stranraer

No potential operators have come forward to take up a casino licence in a south of Scotland town.

It was seen as a potential way of helping wider efforts to revive the former ferry town of Stranraer.

However, Dumfries and Galloway council (DGC) confirmed the lack of anyone showing expressions of interest after its recent month long public consultation.

Stranraer was first granted a casino licence in 2007 - but it has continually remained dormant ever since.

Stranraer's waterfront has sought investment since the ferry ports moved away

The Wigtownshire town was one of 16 areas - and the only Scottish location - given a licence as part of proposals by the Blair government to create a new generation of gambling venues across the UK.

It gave out eight super casino licences, and eight small casino licences, with Stranraer's being for a small casino.

At the time, councillors felt it might increase tourism from across the Irish Sea, and the area's former MP Russell Brown predicted it could "kick start" the waterfront's redevelopment.

Public opinion on whether a casino is right for Stranraer has remained mixed, even with Stena Line and P&O both moving their ferry ports across the loch to Cairnryan.

Andrew Giusti, Conservative councillor for Stranraer and the Rhins, is one who believes a casino "would be a significant addition to Stranraer's tourism offering".

He said: "A well-managed casino could contribute positively to the local economy, and offer a new avenue for economic growth and job creation."

Stranraer 'needs serious investment'

But others have expressed concern that it would attract the wrong sort of interest, and create more problems than it would solve for the coastal area.

Scottish Labour MSP Carole Mochan is one critic, and feels gambling is causing "a serious blight across Scotland".

She said that "problem gambling can affect as many as one in ten people in deprived areas".

Ms Mochan added: "A waterfront casino would do little for the town’s economy. We need serious investment here following the Irish Sea ferry routes moving to Cairnryan.

"I’m not sure casinos count for passing trade, nor are they sustainable. We should not accept that Stranraer has to settle for an unstable investment like this."

The council's Wigtown Divisional Licensing Board ran the public notice consultation from 26 February to 22 March ahead of its next meeting on 22 May.

P&O and Stena Line moved their ports across Loch Ryan to Cairnryan

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