Cecil Hotel Casino lodges development application for ‘family-friendly’ expansion
The owner of a popular northern NSW hotel has plans for big changes, including less of a focus on gambling. See what’s in store.
Lismore
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The owner of a beloved northern NSW hotel is pushing for a major redevelopment which he says is all about making the hotel “100 per cent family friendly”.
Casino’s Cecil Hotel, at the intersection of Centre and Barker streets in the heart of town, could soon see a $1.7 million revamp.
First opened in 1919, the hotel has been part of the town’s fabric about 30km west of Lismore for more than 100 years.
Under new plans, the hotel’s first-floor would be converted into an open-space function room and a new detached building would be constructed on site.
The new two-storey building would have space for 14 more hotel rooms.
Owner Varham Rashid said the business was booming – a key reason for the expansion.
“The demand for accommodation is very high in Casino,” he said.
“I came here a couple of months ago and the accommodation was fully booked out.
“I had no space to sleep anywhere. So that’s one of the main reasons that pushed me to put the new motel over there.”
Mr Rashid stressed he wanted to make the hotel a family-friendly venue.
“I want Cecil to be called Casino Family Hotel as well,” he said.
“I want to move the direction from the gaming hotel to a family-friendly hotel … not concentrate on the gaming.”
Mr Rashid said he hoped changing the first-floor of the existing hotel into an open space function room would increase trade and possibly create more local jobs.
He said the hotel would continue to only employ Casino locals and he would be “giving more opportunity to locals” seeking work.
“With more space we can make it busier which is a good opportunity for staffing, and we will only hire people from Casino,” Mr Rachid said.
“This hotel is hugely popular already and we are doing our best to make it even more popular.”
Members of the public can lodge submissions on the development plans until July 20.
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