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If you are looking for an outstanding
venue for a product launch, conference or banquet, the new-look
Ascot Racecourse is set to be a real winner. Katy Eachus put on her
wellies to visit the site and found it has a lot more to offer
besides racing.
Royal Ascot is re-opening its doors this year to reveal not only a
spectacular new racecourse, but a world-class sports and
entertainment venue. The long-awaited completion of the £200 million
redevelopment programme, which is the most extensive of its type
ever seen in Europe, will not only put the glamorous international
horse racing event back on home ground but provide state-of-the-art
facilities for corporate hospitality, conferences and social events
throughout the year.
 As Europe’s most
popular race meeting, with over 300,000 visitors, Royal Ascot brings
together the excitement of horse racing with the pageantry of the
royal procession, and forms a catwalk for the latest fashions. The
name Royal Ascot is synonymous with quality and excellence, and the
redevelopment has brought the facilities back into line with the
name. There are 19 race days in 2006 including Royal Ascot, De Beers
Diamond Day and The Ascot Festival, each offering hospitality
packages and many of the facilities are available for hire on
non-race days.
 The new-look
racecourse will provide the largest conference and exhibition venue
in the region and is ideally situated for those using the M3, M4,
M40 or M25 motorways, and for international visitors using Heathrow
Airport.
“Yes, the new grandstand will redefine the racing experience and set
new standards on the world stage, but equally important is that the
key design elements make it the most spectacular multi-purpose venue
outside the racing calendar for corporate and social occasions,”
explains Gary England, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We want to
create Ascot as a lifestyle, with a whole host of cultural, business
and entertainment events throughout the year – the possibilities are
endless.”
 The original
racetrack has been moved 42 metres north to make room for a larger,
amphitheatre-style parade ring – the largest in the country –
accommodating up to 8000 people, and an area of piazzas, walkways
and gardens for people to mingle, just inside the main entrance. A
new underpass means that the track is no longer crossed by a road,
and a central reservoir has been created for a state-of-the-art
irrigation system to keep the turf at its very best.
The Grandstand
 The focal point of
the redevelopment is the new Grandstand – a soaring, cathedral-like
structure with glass walls and a vaulted roof. The roof is supported
by an aluminium framework, inspired by a line of trees, which
reflects the densely wooded surroundings. Designed by HOK
Sport+Venue+Event, whose other designs have included the Millennium
Stadium, the Sydney Olympic Stadium and Wembley, the Grandstand
layout will enable the 80,000 people that visit Royal Ascot daily to
flow more easily, from viewing the horses to taking their seats.
From the ground floor concourse, escalators and lifts lead up to the
other levels. The Royal Box, two of the four restaurants and private
boxes are on Level 2, whilst Level 4 is the viewing area for Royal
Enclosure badge holders during Royal Ascot Week and becomes the
viewing area for Premier Admission badge holders on all other race
days. In between, Levels 3 and 5 contain a mix of single, double and
triple boxes – 274 in all. The boxes consist of a private dining
room with large flat-screen TV and balcony overlooking the track,
and a private kitchen shared with the adjoining box.
 Entertainment
facilities
Although the site is enormous, 186 acres in total, the way that it
has been designed makes it possible for events of all sizes to be
held in comfort. For a private party with clients, colleagues or
friends, the Queen Anne rooms which take between 14 and 40 people
would be ideal, whereas the Pavilion provides a perfect place for
exhibitions and the Grandstand can host much larger events.
The new Grandstand also has a number of excellent dining options.
Ascot boasts that the Parade Ring Restaurant will be the finest
restaurant within any racecourse or stadium in the world. Your
restaurant reservation also includes reserved seating with superb
views of the racing a short walk across the galleria in an exclusive
viewing section next to the Royal Box. There is also the Panoramic
Restaurant on the sixth floor, which offers a fantastic 360-degree
view of the racecourse and a private roof terrace. Both would be
ideal wedding venues.
A new concept in British racecourse design, the Loges, at the front
of the Grandstand, is a hybrid of grandstand and box seating. Each
provides a private viewing area for parties of up to 10 guests, with
wonderful views of the racing at Concourse Level.
Another design innovation is the Trackside Restaurant which offers
clients the opportunity of booking a table in a marquee in a prime
position, overlooking the track at Concourse Level.
Also with a great view over the track, the Windsor Forest restaurant
on the second level of the Grandstand provides a private room for 60
to 70 guests and a balcony.
 The rest of the
racecourse
The Old Paddock Restaurant overlooks the new pre-parade ring and
saddling boxes, with the beautiful Old Paddock beyond. A triple
decker marquee in the Old Paddock houses two restaurants – Carriages
and Bessborough – with a series of luxury chalets to the front,
overlooking the track. Also overlooking the Old Paddock, the
Greenyard Restaurant provides an intimate venue for entertaining in
style.
The original Pavilion building has been retained but refurbished and
can accommodate 1000 people for banqueting or 1100 for a conference
in theatre-style seating. Overlooking the new plaza, the Pavilion
has a resident pianist and string quartet during the five-day Royal
Meeting.
Running alongside the Pavilion, the Queen Anne suite contains six
smaller rooms which can take between 20 and 50 people, which is
ideal for corporate hospitality or meeting rooms.
The Royal Ascot Village in the heart of the racecourse has private
chalets for over 30 guests and a restaurant facility offering tables
of 10.
Hospitality packages during Royal Ascot cost from £215 plus VAT per
person and include reserved table, general admission into the
course, champagne reception, four-course luncheon, traditional
afternoon tea and complimentary bar throughout the day (including
champagne). Packages for other race days are available from £75 plus
VAT per person.
Booking information
Bookings for all 2006 race days are now being taken. The official
opening of the racecourse will be Tuesday 20th June, 2006 (the first
day of Royal Ascot). Corporate and Private Hire bookings on non-race
days are also being taken for events after 3rd July, 2006.
For more information or to make a booking, please call 0870 727
4321,
e-mail:
hospitality@ascot.co.uk or go to the website:
www.ascot.co.uk |
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