Trump casino gets Hard Rock

Rank said yesterday it had teamed up with the American property developer, Donald Trump, to open its 61st Hard Rock restaurant at the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City (right).

A similar arrangement isplanned at the Trump Castle Hotel, also in Atlantic City. The talks include the possible construction of a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and "other non-casino operations within a total Hard Rock-themed facility".

Andrew Teare, new chief executive of Rank, said recently the Butlins to Odeon cinemas leisure group was planning a rapid expansion of the Hard Rock brand around the world.

On Monday, Trump Hotels shareholders approved the acquisition of the Castle from Donald Trump, who is chairman of the publicly-held company.

Mr Trump, owner of almost 40 per cent of the Trump Hotels, did not vote his shares, and 82 per cent of the votes cast were in favour of the $480m acquisition, he said.