Grosvenor Casinos will invest £3.5m in expanding its Glasgow Merchant City venue on Glassford Street, creating 13 new jobs in the process.

As one of Grosvenor’s best-performing casinos outside London, it will be transformed with the addition of a new bar and restaurant seating 70 covers, best-in-class gaming table and the creation of a premium viewing area in which to watch live sport.

Debbie Johnston, general manager of Grosvenor Casino Glasgow Merchant City, said: “We’re excited to be creating a world-class entertainment venue which will offer guests an experience like no other with a real focus on gaming, dining and sports viewing all in a vibrant atmosphere. 

“Glasgow’s hospitality sector was hard hit during the pandemic, but Grosvenor Casino’s major investment in Merchant City shows there is real confidence in the city’s recovery.”

The Fraser of Allander Institute, a leading economics research institute at the University of Strathclyde, surveyed 500 firms in April and found them to be largely positive about the immediate future despite rising inflation and energy costs. as they adapt to the challenging trading circumstances.

Business is adapting to the challenging trading circumstances and, while the Scottish economy has more or less recovered from lockdown restrictions, the hospitality sector remains below its pre-pandemic output level. 

Grosvenor is part of The Rank Group Plc, the largest UK casino operator with 52 UK casinos.

The Merchant City plan will see the hiring of chefs, gaming hosts, dealers and a marketing executive and the casino will remain open throughout the refurbishment, which concludes with a launch event on Saturday July 2.