A Leicestershire entrepreneur who spent £60 million bringing one of the capital’s most famous buildings back to life has died.
Jimmy Thomas was known for his lifetime’s work within the gaming industry and most recently as president and co-founder of The Hippodrome Casino, in London. He was 88.
Mr Thomas was given the Freedom of the City of London in 2014 for restoring the West End building from a tired former nightclub to Europe’s biggest casino.
He had made his name running amusement arcades such as the Showboat chain as well as bingo halls, including Beacon Bingo, in Loughborough. He and son Simon, who ran the Hippodrome with him, sold those businesses for a reported £80 million in 2006 after realising the impact the smoking ban would have on arcades and bingo.
They saw the Hippodrome, in Leicester Square – a slightly grubby nightclub previously owned by Peter Stringfellow – as a potential gold mine, particularly with the introduction of more liberal gambling rules.
Mr Thomas turned the tired grade II-listed building into an opulent casino after acquiring it in 2007. It reopened in 2012.
When he received the Freedom of the City of London he told the Leicester Mercury: “It’s a huge honour and was one of the most memorable days of my life.
“It was fascinating to be a part of something that goes back to the historical roots of London.”
Mr Thomas died in his sleep on the morning of Saturday, July 30, with family members close by.
He leaves a son and two daughters – Simon, Lisa and Carla – from his marriage to Alma who died in 2008, as well as a son Jordan from his second marriage, seven grandchildren and three step grandchildren.
Simon, who is the executive chairman of the Hippodrome, said: “My father achieved enough for several lifetimes and was respected the world over for his business leadership and pioneering vision.
“I had the privilege of his advice and guidance not only as a business partner but as a son. He was one of a kind, and will be greatly missed by his family, many friends and staff members.”
Jimmy Thomas was born in Loughborough in 1934, and educated at Uppingham School in Leicestershire. He was part of a family that, for seven generations, has been immersed in the UK leisure and gaming industries.
In 1956 he opened his first casino in the Hurst Hotel, in Quorn, near Loughborough, followed by others in Nottingham and Derby. In 1965 he launched the La Ronde Casino & Cabaret Club in Loughborough.
In the early 60s, Jimmy founded Thomas Automatics, which established itself as one of the world’s largest manufacturers, designers, suppliers and exporters – to 37 countries – of amusement and leisure equipment.
He founded Showboat Holdings which comprised a number of companies including Showboat Entertainment Centre which grew to be the leading privately owned group of amusement centres in the country, and Beacon Entertainments, a market leader in the operation, innovation and design of bingo and social clubs.
A sale took place in 1987 to The Rank Organisation together with a demerger of some of the companies, which were retained by the Thomas family, and the parent company, Thomas Holdings, was formed.
As chief executive and later, with his son Simon Thomas as managing director, the group – Thomas Estates (Showboat Amusement Centres) and Beacon Entertainments (Beacon Bingo & Social Clubs) – continued to operate venues until, in August 2006, it was sold to Mayfair Acquisitions Co and operated under Riva Gaming.
This sale led to the father and son team tackling the most ambitious project the UK casino sector has ever seen. Opened in July 2012, the multi-award-winning Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, London, has been recognised as a new breed of UK casino and entertainment venue that revolutionised the industry.
Jimmy recently celebrated his 88th birthday with a party at the Hippodrome. He was a member of many industry bodies including a life membership of BACTA (British Amusement & Catering Trades Association); vice president and chairman of the BACTA Charitable Trust; and director of EAGE (European Amusement & Gaming Expo) since its formation in May 2009.
In 2013 he was honoured by the Casino Association with a lifetime achievement award, and was the first living person to be honoured on the BACTA Wall of Fame. In 2019 he was honoured with another lifetime achievement honour at the British Casino Awards.
