A PROMINENT Bradford casino is to close its doors.

Grosvenor Casinos has said it is with "regret" that it is consulting with its team in Bradford, based at the Leisure Exchange, on the proposed closure of the business.

The company employs 69 people at its Bradford casino.

Debbie Husband, National Operations Director for Grosvenor Casinos, said: "Admissions have been in long term and consistent decline and we are no longer operating profitably. 

"This decision has not been taken lightly and club closures are always a last resort, however Grosvenor Bradford has been challenged for some time and has reached a point where it is no longer viable to continue trading. 

"We will be working with all our team members in Bradford to help them at this difficult time; including investigating other potential opportunities within the Rank Group. 

"We have many customers who will share our sadness with this news and we do have Grosvenor Huddersfield and Grosvenor Leeds available to visit. 

"We also have grosvenorcasinos.com for those customers who wish to carry on playing online."

Mike Cartwright, policy and representation executive with West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said: “It’s unfortunate when any business has to close its doors – we sympathise with the staff and their families and hope that they get replacement work quickly.  

"It may be a sign of the times that the growth of online gambling activities has forced this decision.  We hope that the site is quickly filled with another suitable operator.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, housing, planning and transport with Bradford Council said: "It’s sad news to hear that Grosvenor Casino is closing and hopefully they can find other positions for the staff elsewhere in their business.

“City centres are changing all the time and it was only last week that we had the opening of the new Light cinema next to the Broadway

"Having projects like St George’s Hall and the Odeon in the pipeline will only help strengthen the evening economy even more.

"Hopefully another tenant for the unit can be found soon and our City Centre Growth Scheme might be able to support any business moving in.”

A spokesman for the Leisure Centre said they “declined to comment at this time”.