I AM simply challenging Leisure Parcs' claim that there is majority public support for large casinos (Letters, Jan 24). My colleagues in the Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling Expansion (BCAGE) have authorised me to make our position clear.
Our position has been backed by an amateur survey conducted by volunteers, which indicates that the great majority of those questioned would prefer an alternative, family friendly, scheme for regeneration, which did not involve the large casino hotels.
We have heard of three possible developments that have been offered to Blackpool. If the council put the former central station site on the open market, who knows what other regeneration proposals would be offered.
In addition, many residents tell us they would like an independent organisation to look at the social and economic costs that come with this type of gambling expansion. The council agrees that more public consultations are required. We hope they will allow us to present our evidence to your readers at some public meetings.
The research company SWR is confident that their survey was fair. We believe opinion has changed and so much depends upon the questions asked. We are sure they will be able to supply us with a copy of the script their team used and the questions they put to the 600 people they phoned.
BCAGE is for the regeneration of Blackpool. We ask for a referendum in which the people of Blackpool can speak their mind.
Steven Bate for BCAGE,
Ashfield Road,
Blackpool.
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