Damian Aspinall
Aspinalls
Online Poker website
Aspinalls
Casino - Passion, Standards, Finesse.
News
Newcastle
is the model for successful gaming venture, Peter
McCusker -
25th June 2009
(Credit:
The Journal)
The
boss of one of the country’s biggest casino
and leisure chains says its future national growth
will be driven from its North East base.
Aspers,
the gaming, entertainment and leisure venue in
the Gate centre in Newcastle, saw its revenues
increase by 50% in the past year as 500,000 people
passed through its doors.
Its
London-based founder Damian Aspinall yesterday
visited the venue he launched in the city three
years ago and spoke proudly of its achievements.
“People
were sceptical at first that Aspers would work,
but we have become the prime provincial gaming
brand in the UK. We have created a really strong
brand which we are immensely proud of,”
he said.
“I
had never been to Newcastle before we decided
to come here, but it is the perfect location.
There is no other city in the UK quite like it.
It’s a fun-loving city. It’s unique.”
The
fun-loving North Easterners have helped drive
the growth of the Aspers brand and it now has
venues in Swansea and Northampton, as well as
planning permission for a fourth on the “English
Riviera” at Bournemouth.
Aspers
was created by Mr Aspinall – the former
partner of one-time Byker Grove star Donna Air
and who is currently said to be dating supermodel
Elle MacPherson – and James Packer, the
son of maverick Australian broadcaster Kerry Packer.
It has been positioned as a multi-entertainment
venue and as well as gaming it provides restaurants,
bars and live music.
While
Mr Aspinall runs his Aspinall Group from London,
including Aspers, the Aspinall casino in Mayfair,
his property empire and the two wildlife parks
left by his father, Aspers senior management are
all at the Gate.
In
April last year Aspers removed membership requirements
and last December it started opening round the
clock. Its 500,000 customer figure last year was
a rise of 40% on the previous year. On a busy
Saturday it can attract 3,000 people, with up
to 600 customers at it busiest point, with the
average spend being £25.
Mr
Aspinall said: “We have helped dispel the
myth about gaming venues. They are no longer viewed
as smoke-filled, seedy gambling dens.
“One-third
of our customers are women, compared to just 2%
in the UK’s other casinos. There are a lot
of fun things going on and many people who come
do not gamble. No one had done it before and no
one believed it could work.”
Mr
Aspinall outlined why he had chosen the North
East to try out the concept. “There were
three things we were looking for: a major city,
a vibrant city and the right location. Newcastle
fitted the bill perfectly and we found the right
location at the price.”
Aspers
group chief operations officer Richard Noble,
based at the Gate, said: “We have become
a destination venue and we provide a range of
first-class entertainment.” Aspers will
not open any more venues until it has visibility
out of the recession, but its senior management
team at Newcastle will be key players in its development.
Aspers
was the nickname of Damian’s father, the
late John Aspinall, who founded the UK’s
first gaming club in 1962.
One-third
of our customers are women, compared to just 2%
in the UK’s other casinos.
Profile
Aspinalls
Casino
Aspinalls
Casino - Passion, Standards, Finesse.
Aspinall's
is an elite, private gambling club located in
Mayfair of London, England. It was established
by John Aspinall first in the 1960s and has subsequently
changed its name several times along with its
location. Aspinall's is currently located at 27-28
Curzon Street.
History
Club
founder, John Aspinall (known as "Aspers"
to his friends) was a conservationist and breeder
of wild animals who funded his zoos, in large
part, from house winnings. Aspinall's is still
one of the most extravagant and elegant gambling
houses in the world. It is not a glitzy casino
in the vein of Las Vegas casinos. In its earlier
days, Aspinall's clientele comprised the traditional
aristocratic elite who gambled away their inheritances.
While this is still true to some extent, the gradual
decline of the English landed gentry has forced
Aspinall's to look elsewhere. The first notable
foreign member to be invited to the club was King
Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The king became a regular
patron of the club, then known as the Clermont.
Remarkably, Aspinall's evaded major public recognition
until the 1970s. The notorious Lord Lucan was
a close friend of John Aspinall. Lucan's consequent
disappearance catapulted the club into mainstream
consciousness. Aspinall commissioned a bust of
Lucan which remains displayed prominently.
Today
Aspinall's
is now run by John Aspinall's son. The current
base of clientele includes prominent politicians,
businessmen, and the ever-present minority of
wealthy aristocrats.
Aspers currently have casinos in Newcastle, Northampton
and Swansea. (Credit:
Wikipedia).
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