Plan to Turn Hippodrome Into Giant Casino Hits Crossroad

LONDON, England -- As reported by the Guardian: "...The London Hippodrome in Leicester Square has had one of the most colourful histories of any British building associated with entertainment
  since it opened in 1900, with its ridiculously over-the-top centrepiece: a 100,000-gallon water tank.

"Now the Frank Matcham-designed building is at a crossroads.

"...looming large is the £8m plan to convert the Hippodrome into a casino, complete with slot machines, gaming tables, poker room, cabaret bar and Gordon Ramsay restaurant. The company behind the plan has the advantage of having won planning permission for the scheme. It also won in the appeal court when rival casinos challenged the decision.

"...Simon Thomas, chairman of Hippodrome Casinos, said plans were progressing rapidly and the company hoped to start work in earnest in the summer..."