New Zealand-based SkyCity Entertainment Group has made a move to expand its non-gambling offering, and in particular, its portfolio, by establishing a dedicated hotel management company. The move has come as part of the company’s efforts to create a bigger network of SkyCity-branded properties.
The company has unveiled a strategy to expand its hotel sector by releasing new projects other than its day-to-day operation at its flagship casino and resort situated in Auckland or its headquarters. As the gambling operator has revealed, the new unit will take over the management of SkyCity’s existing network, including the major operations of the company which are currently concentrated in Auckland-based Horizon Hotel and its Adelaide Casino.
As mentioned above, the new division which the gambling operator is creating is set to complement its already existing network. There are also several other projects which are currently in various stages of planning. Brad Burnett is to head the new division, which will be known as Group GV Hotels. The position of General Manager will be taken by Colin McClean, while Caroline Ah Chong-Douglas would be appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing. Glenn Hallam is joining the team as Director of Development of SkyCity’s new hotel division.
As revealed by Mr Burnett, the new centralised non-gambling operation of SkyCity Group would allow the company to focus on the bigger picture, and continuous expansion in particular. He also hinted that there will be further developments and exciting changes in SkyCity businesses in the upcoming months.
SkyCity Group Has Lost Part of a Queenstown Casino Venue
The news about the new endeavour of SkyCity Group has emerged at a time when it became clear that a Queenstown casino of the brand has lost part of its venue after its landlord refused to renew the gambling operator’s lease contract for the entire premises.
The operator has filed an application to the Gambling Commission to have the licence conditions changes for its Wharf casino after its lease contract for the building expired on September 8th and the landlord decided to make some changes in the number of premises it leased out to the gambling group. However, the changes robbed SkyCity of the chance to control or even have access to some parts of the premises which were included in its venue licence, issued in June 1999.
Since then, the casino company has negotiated a deed of variation to continue the gaming premises until September 8th, 2021. The landlord, Kipuwai Investments, requested the casino voluntarily give up from a part of the back house area until vacant possession is required, which was expected to happen before the end of the current year. The area which the landlord has required to be vacated did not include any of the gambling area used by SkyCity casino, but it was still part of the casino venue under the gambling operator’s licence.
- Author
Olivia Cole
