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Daily news & jobs: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Groupon unveils new Scheduler


Daily deals website Groupon has unveiled its new Scheduler online booking system to pro- vide UK firms with the chance to manage their schedules and accept bookings directly. Designed for service pro-


viders such as spa and wellness operators, the new free service is based on technology from OpenCal – a startup founded in 2009 in Vancouver, Canada and acquired by Groupon in September last year. Once customers purchase a


Groupon voucher for services, they can schedule or cancel appointments for the services. Customers immediately receive an email con- firmation upon completion of each booking, as well as automated email reminders 24 hours before any scheduled appointments.


Scheduler is the “first in a suite of innovations” to be rolled out in 2012 Groupon UK’s Roy Blanga said: “Scheduler


is the first in a suite of innovations which we plan to roll-out across selected markets.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=s8I1s


Tourism minister to attend BISL report launch


Tourism minister John Penrose has been confirmed as the guest of honour at the parlia- mentary and media launch of Business in Sport and Leisure’s (BISL) new industry report. Te BISL Oliver Wyman Leisure Industry Report is to be unveiled at Riley’s Sports Bar in


Victoria, London, on 12 June. It has been pro- duced by consulting firm Oliver Wyman. It will feature a comprehensive socio, polit-


ical and economic analysis of the domestic sector, and its contribution to the economy. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=M6V0h


Rank Group to acquire Gala Casinos


Rank Group has agreed a deal to buy 23 Gala Casinos from Gala Coral Group in a move that will create the UK’s largest casino operator. Te deal – worth a total cash consideration


of £205m – also includes three non-operating licences, although Gala Coral Group’s casinos in Dundee and Gibraltar are not included. Rank will expand its casino estate to 58 in


the UK, with the rebranding of Gala Casinos to take its Grosvenor brand into 11 new cities. Te G Casino format will roll out at nine sites. The purchase and its related costs and


expenses will be financed through a new three- year banking facility totalling £175m, together with the group’s existing facilities Rank chair and chief executive officer Ian


Burke said: “Tis acquisition will deliver a step change in Rank’s earnings by capitalising on our proven record of operational excellence in


24 Rank Group is planning to rebrand the Gala Casinos


the UK sector and will be earnings enhancing in the first full year of ownership.” Te deal is to be completed during Q3 2012,


subject to approval of Rank shareholders and clearance from UK merger authorities. Details: http://lei.sr?a=a9W0j (.pdf)


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