IT was back in August 2000 that Mark Etches first unveiled a new vision for Blackpool.

The glitzy Casino complex with 1,000 bedrooms, incorporating a conference centre etc. Well, as we all know a project of this magnitude takes time to put into fruition. If you remember he was sat in a hackney carriage being interviewed by national and regional TV travelling along the Golden Mile pointing out that everything was shut. It wasn't news to us, was it, as it was winter the closed season? It's cold and as a seasonal seaside town many businesses are refurbishing their establishments ready for the coming season or on holiday in the sun.

Then in February 2003 up to 26 jobs were axed by two Fylde Casinos, one in Blackpool and one in St Annes, what does that tell you!

Paul Collis, managing director of Stanley Casinos said the losses were purely due to the seasonal nature of the business. So this council wants to build more?

We know that the existing players will want space in their hotels for casinos of some sort and why not, but a Las Vegas 1,000 bedroom complex is just a folly, Etches Folly.

The Government was to recommend that the £1m jackpot slot machines might only be allowed in the largest casinos.

As Blackpool is not a large city it does not look like the Vegas style venture will go ahead, which means no slot city, meanwhile Trevor Hemmings the multi-millionaire owner of Leisure Parks has increased his stake in Preston North End Football Club. This was then followed shortly after by the not so surprising announcement that Mark Etches was to quit his job later this year to pursue other interests still linked to casinos. He intends however to continue to back Blackpool's vision through new roles and opportunities maybe at Preston?

Ian Ward, who is now the Acting Head of Development and Building Control in a conversation with a member of one of our tourism associations said, that he envisaged surprisingly 80% of 10 bedroom hotels or less would be given permission to change to residential premises. This would give the larger hotels more chance. Then when asked why, was it because of the casino issue, he replied that there would be no casinos.

Blackpool's casino based master-plan dream had been snubbed by the larger US casino investors. They have lodged planning applications in almost every major town and city in the UK except Blackpool, why? Is it because of the seasonal nature of this type of industry in Blackpool, and big investors want an all year round investment. None of the first 100 planning applications is for sites in Blackpool. Even Burnley has been earmarked.

The articles by Jon Rhodes in Friday 15 and Saturday 16 of October's Gazettes leaves a lot to be desired on the casino front despite the brave faced comments by Alan Cavill, Blackpool Council's head of economic development, we seem to be losing ground to our North West rivals. As explained in the article well worn seaside towns could be too much for American-based gambling conglomerates and therefore the pull of major cosmopolitan cities seems too good to miss.

So, if under the new proposals the Government relax the number of Vegas-style casinos that can open across the country, to the towns, cities and resorts that would benefit most with the regeneratory effect, it's obvious they do not consider Blackpool an option. Maybe its seasonal family image was just too strong even with its weekend stag culture.

So does this mean that Alan Cavill and Reg Haslam will quit their jobs for pastures green in casino land, come early next year? They might not have an alternative, especially with an election coming up, and all that wasted money travelling to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and for what? as our cultures are totally different.

In the coming months it will become clear whether the region wants to see Blackpool degenerate with the impact of gambling addiction through deregulation and the problems that follow, probably on a small scale, or regenerate as a family oriented contemporary national and international entertainment centre like Centre Parcs. Investors would flock into town with all year round indoor family entertainment. Ventures like Storm City, Snow Dome, Zanadoo, an Eden Project at North Shore's boating pool, more art galleries and our own multi-purpose Conference Centre.

We have never needed an alternative plan so urgently.

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE BLACKPOOL

Michael J Chappell, Chairman, Bloomfield Conservative Committee.