Casino approved for iconic central London building

Genting Casinos plans to turn the building on Coventry Street into a two-storey casino and restaurant

Councillors have approved plans to convert an iconic central London building near Piccadilly Circus into a casino.

Genting Casinos UK applied to turn the Trocadero building on Coventry Street into a two-storey casino and restaurant.

James Axelby, Genting's chief financial officer, told Westminster City councillors on 30 September that this could create 350 new jobs.

The council's planning committee approved the plans unanimously, despite concerns from the Soho Society that the project would "encourage late-night drinking".

The first floor and basement of the building will be refurbished, replacing the former Bubba Gump restaurant and Opium nightclub, which closed in 2019 after a shooting.

The space will be capable of catering for 1,250 people.

Council planning officers said the casino would be an improvement on the site's previous life as a nightclub

The Soho Society argued the casino would "represent a massive intensification of gambling and alcohol-led activity" and would encourage increased crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Axelby dismissed these concerns, saying drinks were not expected to account for more than 7% of revenue.

"At the heart of the scheme is a robust operational management plan which addresses matters such as dispersal, noise and smoking so the venue operates smoothly and respectfully," he added.

The council's planning officers said the casino would represent an improvement on the site's previous life as a nightclub.

They added that casinos do not typically attract "large, high-spirited" groups, and the venue's 24-hour nature would avoid "mass exits" in the early hours.

Westminster City Council does not approve new casino licences. Genting has asked to relocate its licence from the Crockfords Club in Curzon Street, which closed in 2023.