Damian Aspinall’s flagship casino and entertainment venue, Aspers, is set to open at The Gate in Newcastle next Thursday (27 October).

In addition to a host of gaming facilities, the 45,000sq ft (4,180sq m) Aspers Casino features restaurants, bars, an ipod relaxation lounge and a beauty salon.

The 1,200-capacity venue – operated by Aspinalls – comprises two bars, the Air Bar and Lady O’s and two restaurants, Freya’s and Café Marie. Diners will have the chance to rate the service and the quality of their food and deduct up to 20 per cent from their bill if they are not completely happy.

The gaming offer includes three state-of-the-art gaming floors; a social gaming area, with games such as poker and backgammon; 60 electronic gaming terminals and 150 slot machines.

Aspers will also feature 27 multimedia screens, sports screens and a stage for live music.

“My vision for Aspers is that it is a leisure destination for people of all ages in the north-east, not solely for gambling,” said Aspinall. “There is nothing like it in the UK.”

A second Aspers is planned for Swansea for 2006 and the brand has been chosen by Cardiff County Council as its preferred regional casino operator.

Aspinall is the son of the late John Aspinall, founder of Aspinalls and the UK’s first casino in 1962. Details: www.aspers.co.uk

See also Leisure Management November/December 2005 p24: Hotseat interview: Damian Aspinall

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Photograph: Damian Aspinall with his TV presenter partner Donna Air