Thursday, August 17, 2006

"The London casino where Lord Lucan once played bridge with the likes of Sir
James Goldsmith and John Aspinall, is to be acquired by the Malaysian
billionaire Quek Leng Chan, The Times has learnt. "BIL International, the
Singapore-listed investment firm controlled by Mr Quek, is understood to be
close to agreeing the purchase of the Clermont Club in Mayfair from Rank in
a deal worth an estimated £30 million. "The Clermont, which Rank acquired in
1990 as part of the takeover of Mecca Leisure, was designed in 1742 by
William Kent and later was the home of Beau Brummell, the Regency dandy, and
Lord Clermont, who often entertained the future George IV there. "...The
sale of the Clermont comes after a review of Rank's operations by Ian Burke,
the group's new chief executive. "...The Clermont is the only upmarket
casino in Rank's Grosvenor Casinos division, attracting high-rollers who can
win or lose fortunes at a single sitting, making the business very
volatile..."