The Grosvenor in Huddersfield is another remnant casino, not big enough (or probably profitable enough) to turn into a “G” casino, but pleasant enough nonetheless. The old blue signage out front is a clue to what’s inside for sure.
It’s old. I’ve got a pretty good idea it’s never been refurbished, or if it has it looks very similar to how it did when it was first opened (relocated from the town centre) about 10 years ago. These days it’s located just outside the ring road, pretty handy by car (with a huge car park shared with the bingo in the same building) but a bit far to walk from the centre, although it’s downhill. Get a skateboard, you’ll be all set.
Inside it’s basically a large box, in fact it may be the squarest casino I’ve ever seen. Tables in the middle, bar at the far end, slots and electronic roulette down one side and poker down the other, with the restaurant in the corner. For all that it’s in pretty good repair, and has a very pleasant atmosphere.
The slots offer is solid with new IGT multigame boxes (plus the legendary Invaders from the Planet Moolah). They also have an unusual feature, with a board showing not only how much the machines have paid out in total during the week, but also how much each individual machine has paid out. I guess in most towns this gives too much information away to the competition (as you can work out takings very easily since you’ll know the win percentage) but in Huddersfield this is the only casino licence operating, so there’s nothing much to lose.
I did see one amusing thing in the toilets – a promotional poster advertising their new “Lucky Ladies” blackjack side bet, with “Edge slashed to 8.47%”. Well, thanks very much, you’ve slashed the edge to only 14 times as big as the edge I play against on the basic blackjack game, how very kind of you. While you’re at it, perhaps you could give me a lovely gift like a live grenade or an angry tarantula, or be kind enough to massage my neck with a cheese grater …
The actual site is next to some sort of Mill affair, nice if you like that sort of thing, and of course Huddersfield itself is a beautiful place. I speak from experience when I tell you that the most tremendous real ales can be found in the local area, as well as some stupendous Indian food. A booze / curry / Grosvenor combo would in fact be the recommended solution to a night in this charming part of the north.
