COMMERCIAL IN BRIEF


Penrose launches slot machine consultation Tourism minister John Penrose has announced the start of a consultation into plans for two changes to the Gambling Act 2005. Alterations would apply to 'adults-only' (B3) slot machines and aim to boost amusement arcades and bingo halls, which employ around 37,000 people. Under the changes, the maximum stake limit is to go up from £1 to £2, while a "modest increase" in the number of machines sited in arcades and bingo halls would be permitted


Government to decide racing levy scheme A decision on the Horserace Betting Levy will be made by the government after the racing and gambling industries failed to reach agreement. Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt will determine the levy scheme on the basis of advice from sports minister Hugh Robertson in the wake of the sector's failure to resolve the situation itself. Hunt said: "It's a big disappointment that the racing and gambling industries have failed to sort this out – but frankly the government should never be the last resort in an essentially commercial negotiation."


Leeds Arena scheme set to move forward Detailed designs and cost plans


for the proposed Leeds Arena have been approved by the local authority. Leeds City Council (LCC) confirmed that preparatory work had commenced on the project in September, with construction due to begin in early 2011 to deliver the Populous-designed venue. BAM Construction, which has been selected by the council to deliver the scheme, is due to complete work ahead of the proposed opening date of late 2012.


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news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Doughty Hanson to buy Vue cinemas


Private equity firm's acquisition to help boost expansion plans and digital roll-out By Pete Hayman


Private equity firm Doughty Hanson is to acquire cinema operator Vue Entertainment in a deal believed to be worth around £450m. The business is currently


owned by Cavenish Square Partners; hedge fund Och-Ziff and the existing management team, which includes CEO and founder Tim Richards. Under the terms of the deal,


the management team will reinvest in the transaction, which aims to help boost Vue's bid to roll-out digital projection and expand its operations. Vue is currently the third


largest cinema operator in the UK with 678 screens across 68 cinemas, along with two overseas sites – Dublin, Ireland, and SBC Faro Algarve, Portugal. Doughty Hanson senior


principal Julian Huxtable said: "Vue Entertainment is a great


Garland nets 11 bowling sites


Garland Leisure Group has purchased 11 AMF Traditional-branded bowling centres from AMF Bowling, which owns and operates the Total Bowling Company (TOBC). The deal is part of


AMF's reorganisation and includes sites in Burnley, Chatham, Ilkeston, Keighley, Leeds, New- castle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Scunthorpe, Weston and Whitstable. The remaining AMF


Traditional centres in Hull, Margate and Macclesfield will operate alongside TOBC under the AMF Bowling Holdings name.


Doughty Hanson is set to acquire the Vue Entertainment business


company led by an exceptional, highly experienced manage- ment team, which has created a strong market position. "The company has achieved


consistent financial perfor- mance and has succeeded in growing through the recession." Richards added: "Doughty


Hanson is an ideal partner for Vue, as it shares our vision of driving attractive growth and investment returns by consis-


tently delivering an excellent entertainment experience for our customers "Vue has come a long way


since it was launched in 2003. We will continue to innovate, enhance and grow the business. We will continue to open new state of the art cinemas such as the new 14 screen all digital Vue multiplex cinema in Westfield’s Stratford City which opens in September next year."


Work to start on Venture Fields By Martin Nash


The design for the new multi-million pound Venture Fields leisure development on Widnes Waterfront has been unveiled, with work due to start on site within weeks. Developed jointly by St


Modwen Developments and Halton Borough Council, the scheme will include a five- screen 3D-enabled cinema operated by Reel Cinemas; a bowling alley operating as Widnes Superbowl and a children's activity centre. A 36,000sq ft (3,340sq m)


ice rink run by Planet Ice; an Italian/American style restau- rant called Frankie & Benny's and a 60-bedroom hotel with


Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital


The development will include a 3D cinema operated by Reel


an adjoining 7,500sq ft (700sq m) restaurant are also included in the Venture Fields line-up. Michelle Taylor, regional director at St Modwen, said:


"Venture Fields represents ten years of hard work by all those involved and is a significant milestone in the regeneration of Widnes Waterfront."


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