Genting UK announces £10m Westcliff casino refurbishment

Casino group Genting UK has committed £9.8million to the refurbishment of the Westcliff casino complex in Essex. 

The refurbishment is the latest in a series of works at the iconic Southend seafront venue, which has operated as a casino since the 1970s. 

Keen on games with better value? These are the best RTP slots in the UK, and we have you covered!

The planned redevelopment is set to be completed by early 2026, with the first stage finished by the end of July. It has been deemed necessary after the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roof of the building. 

The casino was first established in the 1970s, at the Mill House on Station Road, before being moved to its current location in 1975. It was moved as part of the Westcliff Leisure Centre project. 

The venue has changed ownership several times in its history. Initially run by Brent Walker, it was then bought by R J Bown Holdings before being acquired by Genting UK, in a deal reported to be worth £30 million. 

It was the location for the UK’s first-ever casino wedding, when Chris Verrall tied the knot with Emma Doman in 2010. The casino had been granted a wedding licence in November 2009.

Most recently, in 2012, Genting UK refurbished the casino to include an outside deck overlooking the Thames, along with improved gaming areas. Genting’s managing director of provincial estate, Paul Willock, said at the time: “I am confident that we will be offering one of the best all-round entertainment venues in Essex once the work is complete.”

RAAC is a type of concrete that was used extensively in buildings across the country in the second half of the 20th Century. It was commonly used in the roofs of public buildings, and it has been determined that the material offers poor substandard structural strength. 

It was first found in the roof of the Westcliff casino in November 2023. The venue was closed immediately, but was reopened a couple of weeks later after emergency work was completed. 

In January of this year, the Southend Council agreed to Genting’s plans to replace the roof of the casino. The group has announced extended refurbishment plans that will cost £9.8m. 

The casino’s general manager, Stuart Green, said: “We are delighted that we can continue to keep the casino open throughout the building works and offer customers the high-quality experience they associate with Westcliff, featuring the best in hospitality and entertainment. 

“Genting’s financial commitment to the project is very welcome and will allow us to deliver an amazing outcome which we are sure our customers will love. The project is running according to plan, and we look forward to sharing the first images of the new-look casino in the coming months.”

Work on the site is scheduled to take place during working hours in the week, enabling the casino to remain open for players in the evenings and at weekends. The first stage is set for completion by the end of July, and the venue has said that live events, including Take That Tribute on June 13, are set to go ahead as planned. The whole refurbishment should be complete by early 2026.