Royal opening for Epsom grandstand
A new 11,000-capacity grandstand has been officially opened at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey by the Duchess of Cornwall, marking the completion of a three-year, £38m redevelopment scheme.
The Duchess Stand has been designed to accommodate both racing and non-racing events throughout the year, and includes the 1,123sq m (12,088sq ft) Oaks Hall on the ground floor, which can be used as an 800-seat conference venue. Three first floor restaurants will also be available for conferencing and banqueting on non-race days, while the second floor includes fourteen private hospitality boxes and the Downs View Suite, capable of accommodating more than 100 people.
In addition to the new grandstand, the Epsom Downs redevelopment project has also included the construction of a new 120-bedroom hotel, an Entrance Pavilion and the return to a full calendar of 14 race days. Nick Blofeld, Epsom Downs Racecourse managing director, said: "We felt it very appropriate with having a Queen's Stand and a Prince's Stand that we had a Duchess' Stand, which fits with the whole ethos and values of Epsom."