Genting pledges £9.8 million for Westcliff casino restoration after Raac discovery
A much-loved casino has pledged £9.8 million for the restoration of its venue in Westcliff after the discovery of crumbling concrete.
Genting Casino has unveiled plans for a major refurbishment of its Westcliff site, committing nearly £10 million to ensure the venue's future.
This comes after the presence of potentially dangerous RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) was found in its roof.
Despite the scale of the works, the casino remains fully open to customers, with the restoration carefully phased to maintain access to gaming, dining, and live entertainment.
Bookings are still currently being taken for forthcoming live events, including the Show Me Love Brunch on May 3 and a Take That Tribute on June 13.
However, works are expected to continue until early 2026.
Stuart Green, general manager of Genting Casino Westcliff, 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."
The first phase of the project is likely to be completed by the end of July.
Building work is scheduled for weekday working hours to minimise the impact during evenings and at weekends when the casino is at its busiest.
There are likely to be two single-day car park closures in June, which will be announced in due course.
The restoration project aims to give Westcliff a stunning makeover, with popular performers set to entertain customers in an immersive lounge as the project moves into its second phase.
The casino, which was built in the 1970s, has been serving the city of Southend for decades.
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