Thursday April 30th Grosvenor Casino, Barracuda at Number 1, Baker Street hosted an Asian Extravaganza with Bollywood Dancers from Desi Rascals, a show that appears on Sky Living. Cast members attending included Owais Khan, Anj Baig, Moses Baig, Shmoyel Siddiqui, Shreena Vara, Prakash Vara, Jo Shah, Natalie Shah, Rishi Ravalia, Raj Ravalia, Ravi Gurtata, Amita Patel , Yasmin Akhtar Karimi , Kavita Sodha , Anu Patel , Rita Siddiqui, Sabrina Siddiqui, Sunjay Vara, Charlotte Jacomelli, Anita Vara and Jay Vara. In addition there was Pavan, who holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest Henna Tattooing, and Magic Singh, aptly named since he is a magician. There were tasty Indian bites handed round by glamorous ladies in saris. Even the Regional Sales Manager for Grosvenor Casinos, Anne Marie Hackett, was dressed in Indian.
There’s very big fish tank to see in the club and staff were particularly reassuring about the safe and welcoming environment created by the casino team. Anne-Marie and the staff smiled a warm welcome and made sure everyone was alright.
Walking round the casino and the five star restaurant, I noticed many ladies of different nationalities sitting comfortably playing at tables or eating delicious looking repasts. Barracuda does not resemble the old, conventional idea of a casino at all.
General Manager Phil Nunn sat down for an interview to explain the club’s philosophy.
The club, he explained, is part of the Grosvenor Casinos and Rank Group PLC. With 55 clubs across the country and nine casino licences in London, it is the biggest operator in the UK.
He said: “The Barracuda, in Baker Street and the Park Tower Casino, in Knightsbridge are very popular with the elite Asian market. We have lots of Asian and Middle Eastern customers. I do business trips to Delhi, Mumbai and Goa, along with Dubai to see new and old customers who do business there and who, over time, also become friends.
“We are very proud of our five-star restaurant. We are laid back. It’s an a la carte offer to 3 am. You don’t find this sort of quality at that time in London. It’s a safe environment for ladies and if you fancy a flutter and want to go play the tables, the same quality service is on offer.”
Speaking about the changes over the last decade, he added. “Over 20 per cent of our membership is Asian/Indian so we want to continue to build networks with them. Those who can afford to come to a casino are very successful business people; mainly second and third generation professionals based in the UK. The first generation still tends to base itself in homes spread across the whole of India.”
So given the economic climate, is spending up or down at Barracuda?
“There’s very much an increasing spend.”
When asked what's the average client spend, Mr Nunn was discretion personified.
“Best not say how much anyone spends,” he said, though he indicated that it varied.
“Everyone’s pound is important to them and we encourage customers to spend only what they can afford to spend, but that can vary considerably.”
Perhaps the question on most people’s lips might be, in such an inviting, hospitable, comfortable and safe environment, can the smart punters really make money though their winnings?
Phil Nunn was reassuring, “It has been very well known on many occasions!” he replied with a giant smile. Players wouldn’t come back if they didn’t win from time to time, so we quickly learn how to win and how to lose with good grace.
