The Grandstand Group has announced it has taken over the running of the Stoneleigh Park exhibition venue having brought out the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s commercial operation.
Grandstand, who have taken the Horse of The Year Show from strength to strength over the past 17 years, will not only manage the venue, but continue to deliver the RASE’s successful technical events, the British Pig & Poultry Fair and the Grassland & Muck event.
The Grandstand Group have clear plans to develop the exhibition facilities on offer at Stoneleigh with over £2 million committed to an initial investment package and more in the pipeline.
“We see enormous potential for the venue and wish to put it back on the map as the exhibition centre of choice,” says Helena Pettit, Managing Director. “Stoneleigh is well located, has plenty of unique assets and such a flexible arrangement of both indoor and outdoor event space, it lends itself to all sorts of large and small scale events.”
Originally chosen as the home for the Royal Show, Stoneleigh Park offers 800 acres of prime Warwickshire parkland with over 20,000m2 of indoor exhibition space and with easy access to the motorway network, making it a prime location for hosting events with national appeal.
“Rebranding of the venue to the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre (NAEC) is one of the first changes which will be seen later this year,” adds Helena. “Working with La Salle Investments, who now own the whole site and are investing a £50 million into the wider site improvements over the next 10 years, will ensure we are able to offer more quality exhibition space at competitive prices.”
The team at Grandstand has many years’ experience in organising all sorts of events, with the Zinc Management part of the business responsible for a number of large corporate clients, including BMW.
RASE Chief executive David Gardner, the owners of the British Pig & Poultry Fair and Grassland & Muck events, both of which were delivered by the Grandstand team in 2014 is confident of the venue’s future in Grandstand’s hands: “Grandstand is a very customer centric organisation and I am certain will take the venue forward as the exhibition centre of choice for the agricultural and rural sectors.”
“Come and take a fresh look at Stoneleigh,” welcomes Helena, “Grandstand are able to offer everything from a venue for your own event to a complete exhibition delivery team, whatever your event requirements, big or small, this experienced team is committed to making your event a great success.”
