Leisure Media Issue 3 2009 - Leisure Opportunities

NEWSCommercialRoyal opening for Epsom grandstandA new 11,000-capacity grandstand hasbeen officially opened at Epsom DownsRacecourse in Surrey by the Duchessof Cornwall, marking the completionof a three-year, £38m redevelopmentscheme.The Duchess Stand has beendesigned to accommodate both racingand non-racing events throughoutthe year, and includes the 1,123sq m(12,088sq ft) Oaks Hall on the groundfloor, which can be used as an 800-seatconference venue.Three first floor restaurants will alsobe available for conferencing and banquetingon non-race days, while thesecond floor includes fourteen privatehospitality boxes and the Downs ViewSuite, capable of accommodating morethan 100 people.The Duchess was present at the opening of the new grandstandIn addition to the new grandstand,the Epsom Downs redevelopmentproject included the construction of anew 120-bedroom hotel.Nick Blofeld, Epsom Downs MD, said:“We felt it very appropriate with hav-Rileys to introducedarts at clubsTroubled snooker and pool club operator,Rileys, is to introduce darts zonesat its remaining clubs as part of effortsto revitalise the business.The company will introduce dartszones at “a number” of its 130 clubs,with the first one having launched inCroydon. Rileys hopes to benefit fromthe rise in popularity of darts and thespate of pub closures – the traditionalhome of darts clubs.In April, Rileys announced the closureof 30 properties and the loss of 200jobs after it entered administration dueto a downturn in trading. Simon Allportand Tom Jack of Ernst and Young wereappointed joint administrators and adeal was struck with Valiant Sports toensure the survival of 130 clubs, whichwill operate under the Rileys name.Salford racecourse inquiry underwayPlans for a new racecourse nearSalford, Greater Manchester, have gonebefore a public inquiry at the request ofthe developer behind the scheme.In November last year, Peel Holdingsappealed to the government to intervenein the planning process after bothSalford City Council (SCC) and WiganCouncil failed to decide whether toapprove the company’s proposals forSalford Forest Park. A new internationalstandard horse racing course, includinga 6,000-seat grandstand, an eventingWorld champion Phil Taylor launched the clubcourse and an equestrian centre, is atthe centre of Peel’s plans for the 1,690-acre (684-hectare site).Proposals also include an 18-holegolf course, an 80-bedroom hotel witha gym, a restaurant and a swimmingpool, and a forest park vistior centre,as well as an eco-village, 11 miles(17.7km) of cycle trails and 20 miles(32.2km) of footpaths.The scheme is set to be opposed bySCC, which rejected the plans due tothe perceived impact on green belt land.The stadium will have 22,000 seatsCasino for newSouthend stadiumSouthend United Football Club(SUFC) has announced that it isplanning to include a casino as partof a new 22,000-seat stadium developmentat Fossetts Farm in Essex.The £46m scheme, which wasgiven the go-ahead by the governmentlast September after beingcalled in for a public inquiry, hasnow been altered to incorporate theproposed casino, as well as a newfootball academy.According to SUFC chair RonMartin, the proposed academywould not be viable without theinclusion of the casino, which is setto be operated by Rank Group.SUFC’s amended proposals forthe stadium, which include thecasino, will now have to go throughthe full planning process.8 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digitalISSUE 3 2009 © cybertrek 2009