Hampshire Cricket’s Ageas Bowl Give Green Light for Hospitality Renovation

An historic deal has been concluded between Rose Bowl PLC, herbal | parent company of The Ageas Bowl, and Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) allowing the final stage in the development of the internationally renowned venue, which will include the construction of a 4-star Hilton hotel, additional conferencing and hospitality facilities and a state-of-the-art media centre.

The club expects to be able to make an announcement in the coming days confirming the start date but timescales are in place to have all work completed in time for England’s next Test Match at The Ageas Bowl against India in 2014. Certain elements such as the media centre are expected to be available for use in the 2013 cricket season.

Ageas Bowl Chairman, Rod Bransgrove said, “We are absolutely delighted to have completed this this deal with Eastleigh Borough Council. Building this hotel and transforming The Ageas Bowl into a Model Test Match ground will have an overwhelmingly positive effect on the local economy through creating and protecting jobs as well as boosting tourism to the region.

“I should like to thank the Council for having the foresight to see that completing the Ageas Bowl transformation will have a positive impact on the Borough, and for their drive in completing this complex transaction. I would also like to thank all our other partners, both locally and nationally, who have worked together to deliver an outcome that delivers a brighter future for The Ageas Bowl.

“The deal will create a lasting legacy for the South Coast area as a whole, not only by preserving county cricket in Hampshire nor, indeed, solely through encouraging regular top-level International cricket in the region. This fantastic venue and its excellent facilities and staff, in combination with the great work done by the Hampshire Cricket Board, will ensure aspiring young cricketers in the area have every opportunity possible to fulfil their sporting potential for years to come.”

“This has been an historic year. Our flourishing partnership with Ageas has demonstrated the belief of a major company in the future of this wonderful venue and now, with the completion of this deal, we can all look forward to creating a truly unique sports and entertainment destination to the benefit of all.”

Council Leader Keith House welcoming the signing saying, “This is fantastic news. It’s a very important project for the whole Borough and I’m very pleased to see work will soon be starting.  As well as creating jobs for local people and opportunities for local business it gives the Council significant new rental income to help protect vital local services and keep council tax down.

“We’re also committed to making sure that people across the Borough benefit from this partnership through the chance both to watch and take part in sport.  The prestigious world class venue will also help to keep Eastleigh on the international sporting map.”

The 175-bedroom hotel marks the final stage of an ambitious £48m development programme which has also seen the Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie and Shane Warne stands erected, increasing the venue’s total capacity to 25,000 for major matches. Once complete, the ground will become Britain’s only Model Test Match venue as defined by the England and Wales Cricket Board as well as one of the leading destinations for sport, leisure and entertainment in the UK

The hotel will contain a state-of-the-art Media Centre, bars, restaurants and a function room facing onto the pitch as well as a Spa and Leisure Club with gym, jacuzzi pool, sauna, steam room and six individual rooms for beauty treatment and relaxation.

Plans for the new hotel include a bespoke viewing and hospitality area which will be utilised for Major Matches such as the 2014 Test against India and ODI against Australia in 2015.

It will also accommodate the club house for The Ageas Bowl’s new 18-hole par-71 golf course including changing facilities, club shop, bar, golf restaurant, club lounge and terrace with views across the 18th green. Adjacent to the hotel bar, a main restaurant will offer high-quality cuisine for 150 diners with views over the cricket ground and a further landscaped terrace with views across the countryside.