George Henry Akins (10 Dec 1928 - 30 Mar 2023)

In loving memory of George Henry Akins who passed away on 30th March 2023

George was born and raised in Nottingham, one of four siblings. His early years were spent crafting his skills on market stalls in Nottingham and in Skegness before he set out, with younger brother Dennis in tow, to pioneer and build highly successful betting and gaming businesses in Nottingham and beyond through the 1950s.

Opened in the mid 1960s, and bringing together casino gaming, cabaret, dining and entertainment, The Parkside Club was to become an institution in Nottingham. The Oyster Bar on Mansfield Road followed shortly after.

Responding to the new gambling laws, George opened the Victoria Club on Victoria St in 1970, his ambition being to create the finest Gentleman's Gaming Club outside London. This was an ambition that he achieved with the club becoming a huge attraction through the 1970s and 1980s. More casinos and The West Retford Hotel were to follow.

An irrepressible entrepreneur, he founded the internationally famous Rock City in 1980 and built chains of licensed betting offices and amusement centres throughout the East Midlands and Yorkshire. He built and developed an extensive property portfolio and played a key role in the regeneration of Nottingham City Centre and its Lace Market.

George supported numerous charitable causes throughout his life and always championed an underdog, giving many individuals a helping hand in their ventures. He had a passion for antiques and fine wine, and of course art, a passion that led him to open The Fletcher Gate Art Gallery in his senior years.

At 94, George lived a long, remarkable and colourful life and has become part of Nottingham's folklore. He is survived by his wife Ellen, his three sons, Alex, Sean and George and six grandchildren, Molly and Tom, George and Talullah, Oskar and Milo.