After beginning the process of obtaining a license in January of 2012, Global Gaming Ventures (Development) Limited has this week unveiled detailed plans for its new Victoria Gate Casino for the northern English city of Leeds.

The 50,000 sq ft casino for the West Yorkshire city of 774,000 is to occupy the top floor of the just-completed $201.89 million Victoria Gate retail development when it opens in late January and will feature a 100-seat poker room alongside 24 gaming tables.

“This is a unique venue on a grand scale unlike anything seen before in the north of England and we are delighted to be unveiling our name, our look and our first employees,” said Andrew Herd, Chief Executive Officer for London-based Global Gaming Ventures (Development) Limited. “Although this is a venue in the heart of Leeds, staffed by people from the city, our customers will not just be Leeds-based; evidence shows us that a venue like a “super-casino” attracts visitors from the region and beyond, bringing investment into the area.”

With the ability to hold some 1,400 people, the downtown Victoria Gate Casino will be the third largest venue of its kind in the United Kingdom and the biggest for the north of England. Global Gaming Ventures (Development) Limited stated that the enterprise is to moreover offer 140 slots and 80 electronic gaming terminals as well as wall-to-wall screens for watching sport, a restaurant, function space and two bars including one selling craft beer, ales and stouts.

“The Victoria Gate Casino is set to provide a valuable boost for the local economy with the creation of more than 200 jobs, something that the Victoria Gate team is passionate about,” said Robin Dobson, Retail Development Director for property development firm Hammerson. “We’re looking forward to welcoming the casino later this year to enjoy the mixed entertainment offer that it will add to Leeds’ new leading retail, dining and leisure destination.”

Global Gaming Ventures (Development) Limited has moreover announced that industry veteran and former Gala Coral Group senior employee Patrick Noakes is to serve as Venue Director for the Victoria Gate Casino, which is to additionally run apprenticeships and a graduate scheme as part of its commitments to the Leeds City Region Leaders Board.

“The Victoria Gate Casino will be a casino unlike any other in the north of England,” said Noakes. “It is an entertainment destination in the heart of Leeds and, with a capacity of 1,400, it will be one of the biggest venues in the city. This is a unique opportunity to build a best-in-class venue that covers not just gaming but dining and entertainment, big game sports action as well as corporate hospitality.”