A Playboy casino – complete with scantily-clad ‘bunnies’ who are trained croupiers – is set to open in Manchester.
Bosses of the world-famous men’s magazine want to re-launch the Manchester 235 casino on Deansgate under their own banner and Hugh Hefner as guest of honour.
The casino, to be called the Playboy Club, would be staffed by bunny-tailed dealers and waitresses.
Club bosses said the venture would be ‘classic’ and ‘stylish’.
The new Playboy Club will stir memories of the old Playboy casino on Canal Street, which closed in 1982.
The original casino, which boasted a 70-seat restaurant, was a mecca for famous and well-heeled Mancunians throughout the 1970s.
The latest venture follows the successful re-launch of a Playboy casino in London’s Mayfair earlier this year.
Brand managers have now identified Manchester as the prime location for a second site.
The grand opening – where Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, 85, and his 25-year-old fiancée were guests of honour – was picketed by women’s rights activists.
The Mayfair club is owned by London Clubs International, who have the UK license to the Playboy brand and already own Manchester 235.
It is understood that while Manchester 235 is performing satisfactorily, they believe the Playboy name would boost its profile and attract high-rollers from across the north west and beyond.
A company source said: “Following our successful launch in London, the bunnies are returning to Manchester in October.”
The firm insists its bunnies are professionally-trained croupiers, many of whom have university degrees and who earn up to £60,000 a year with tips.
Credit: Yakub Qureshi M.E.N
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