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Investors are eyeing up Belfast for an entertainment and casino complex which could create 900 jobs, it has been revealed.

Details of plans from a number of potential international investors are contained in a motion set to be debated by Belfast City Council tonight.

Business bosses have expressed an interest in developing an entertainment and casino complex in Belfast, with a planned investment of £150million and the creation of in excess of 900 new jobs.

Councillor Jim McVeigh revealed details of the talks within his motion on the tourism offer in the city.

In his motion he states: "This Council agrees to carry out a public consultation, including with our tourism and hospitality sector, to ascertain whether the citizens of Belfast wish to see the modernisation of our licensing laws and opening hours and the development of an Entertainment and Casino Complex within Belfast.”

Speaking to Belfast Live, Cllr McVeigh said: "There have been a number of organisations that have looked at investing in the city. There's a bit of competition between some of the groups to develop this, we are talking £150million investment.

"They are talking an entertainment complex, not just a casino, something like in other big European cities and we are talking about it creating 900 jobs through the whole process."

He said he understood the casino aspect of the investment would only account for 5% of the development. "It could be a game changer," he added.

Cllr McVeigh said the modernisation of our licensing laws in Northern Ireland was vital to securing this type of investment and growing the economy.

His motion also seeks to devolve licensing decisions to councils.

"If people are booking a weekend away, these things make a difference in people choosing Belfast as a destination," he said.

"If you come for the weekend and bars close at 12.30/1am, it is going to put people off."

He also said Sunday trading hours needed to be addressed to accommodate the growing number of tourists in the city.

"We really need to open the city up if we want to attract more people," he added.