.. or how Manchester lost 3,000 new hospitality jobs to create an extreme sports centre and a BMX bike track for the Olympic Games.
These are just some of the ideas the Government look set to propose as they outline plans to scrap the supercasino project and give Brits 16 casinos instead (plans will be unveiled at 3.30pm today).
The supercasino has been a drawn out affair leaving hospitality operators in limbo for years. Firstly we all thought that Blackpool would be awarded the site - leading to a rush for hotel properties in the seaside town that are being put up for sale again. Secondly we thought the Millennium Dome would take the crown and host Britain's largest casino but instead it was turned into an arena for pop concerts. Then Manchester were the shock winners but Gordon Brown became Prime Minister and prudent Gordon doesn't enjoy gambling (unless he is betting on Northern Rock).
The City of Manchester has threatened to take the Government to Court after it spent £240,000 of council tax payers money on winning the bid which would have been worth £265m to the regional economy.
Hospitality operators may be chomping at the bit to get hold of some outlets in the 16 regional casinos but it will take a canny operator to create 3,000 jobs out of a BMX bike track.
