Regent overhaul includes layoffs, expansion of Irish bar

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000 | 11:23 a.m.

A spokesman for the Regent Las Vegas said "several hundred" employees have been laid off at the Summerlin resort-casino, but said those cutbacks are probably coming to an end.

"I think we're getting close to where we want to be right now, as efficient as possible," said spokesman Denny Weddle. "I don't see a large number of increased drop of personnel. I think we've restructured it enough to meet our needs ... but that could change with an influx of business. We're watching it very carefully, and putting people where the customers are."

Layoffs occurred primarily at the Regent's restaurants, where operating hours at several restaurants were scaled back. Upscale seafood restaurant Ceres, for example, cut back from a 24-hour schedule to three meal-serving periods a day. Weddle also said the special events and entertainment department was eliminated, though some entertainment will continue at the resort.

Closed in the layoffs were the Parian restaurant and the property's deli, though Weddle said Regent officials may reopen Parian in the spring after "refinement."

However, one of the Regent's most popular offerings, J.C. Wooloughan's Irish Pub, is being expanded. Weddle said the pub will use the deli's former space as "overflow" for customers, but couldn't say if employees will be added at the pub.