Meet the Levy Payer: Grosvenor Casino Aberdeen

What do you like about being based in the City Centre?

Aberdeen is such a unique city, where else can you drive along the beach front, turn a corner and you’re at the harbour and then end up right in the city centre within minutes, and all within these beautiful surroundings?

I can look out from our front doors and I’m surrounded by beautiful architecture, from Marischal College right across the road to Castlegate just round the corner.

Aberdeen is a big city with a community feel and, of course, the people of Aberdeen are also incredible. I moved up from Newcastle almost eight years ago and have been made to feel most welcome as an adopted Scot.

What are the benefits for you and your business of being an Aberdeen Inspired levy payer?

The support of Aberdeen Inspired allows you to be involved in a network of organisations, getting out and meeting local people - and helping to support each other - drives local business together as part of a community’

It’s allowed us this year the opportunity to get involved in initiatives such as Aberdeen Restaurant Week and the Aberdeen Gift Card which will hopefully drive business forward by introducing new people to our products and services who ordinarily may not have visited or been aware of our business.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

Our focus as a business is to become the UK’s most loved casinos and Grosvenor Casino Aberdeen has big ambitions around that sentiment.

We always look to provide better and better experiences for our teams every year whether that’s through our menu development, introducing new and exclusive games for our customers to play, or investing in our venue.

This year is no different. We’re just about to approach the Christmas period and, of course, we will be offering fantastic Christmas experiences, such as live music and tribute acts.

We have a massive Hogmanay party planned for the 31^st so we are really excited about that, then other initiatives such as Chinese New Year celebrations.

What would you say to people who have never visited a casino and might be slightly daunted by the idea?

We do try to break that barrier down. A casino is somewhere you can come and relax. You don’t even have to gamble, you can come in for a drink or for a bite to eat. We have a restaurant open from 7pm every night, so it’s a very relaxed and friendly environment.

Our staff are well-trained and happy to give someone who does want to play the tables a free demonstration. We also run demo sessions where you can come along and actually have a play for free and get to know a product or a game without even gambling your own money.

What advice would you give to new businesses looking to set up in the city centre?

I would suggest getting out and about to visit other businesses and venues, meeting the teams and seeing the experiences they offer. Networking is always important, and just asking for ideas or help from your teams and suppliers.

Once your business is set up, putting people at the forefront of your plans will undoubtedly lead to success. That’s investing in and looking after your team, to driving exceptional customer service ensuring your customers will not only return time after time, but they’ll tell their friends and family about their positive experience.

What would be the biggest improvement to the city centre in your opinion?

Aberdeen faces its challenges, and to thrive we need people to visit the city centre. We face many external forces such as online shopping and entertainment, including gambling, but we also have a number of opportunities that we can influence.

I do believe the council has taken many positive steps in improving the city through significant investment, but if people can’t get to where they want to go then this investment is meaningless.

The bus gates within the city centre have caused significant downturn in many local businesses. People can’t get to where they want to go without fear of facing a fine for driving down the wrong street.

There should a level of compromise where we can still reduce city centre traffic but also allow people to get where they want to be in order for local businesses to flourish.

The taxi situation in Aberdeen is also a difficult situation. Lack of taxis mean that late night businesses like ourselves, see people not venturing out for fear of not being able to get home safely.

We need far more taxis on our streets, which is something that bigger cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow have managed to do successfully, and I think Uber can play a part on this if we can get it over the line.

When you’re not working where is your favourite place or thing to do in Aberdeen?

I like to get to the gym, which is handy with Pure Gym just next door. I also enjoy getting out for something to eat and maybe a film at the cinema.

On a nice day I enjoy a stroll along the seafront and a snack or a coffee from one of the many street vendors along the coast.

You can find out more about Grosvenor Casino Aberdeen here.