Willmott Dixon has won a £25m contract to redevelop Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey.

The contractor will build an 11,000-capacity grandstand and a 120-room hotel at the home of the Derby.

Work on the stand is expected to start in October, after the demolition of the existing 70-year-old stand. One of the priorities is to make sure a 4,000-capacity terrace is completed for the Derby in June 2008.

Completion of the grandstand, which has been designed by Limbrick, is due in spring 2009.

Willmott Dixon’s appointment at Epsom follows its completion of an entrance pavilion at the racecourse earlier this year.

The contractor has also secured its biggest project so far from the national prison framework. It has been appointed by the Ministry of Justice on a £35m extension at Swaleside prison in Isle of Sheppey, Kent, and is expected to win a project to build a 510-place block at Nottingham prison.

Willmott Dixon appointed for £25m Epsom racecourse redevelopment

News release -10 September 2007 – Willmott Dixon's local office in Cobham has secured contracts worth £25 million to transform Epsom Downs Racecourse, the home of the Derby, with a new 11,000 capacity grandstand and a 120-room hotel.

Work starts on the new stand in October following demolition of the current 70 year-old stand, and a key objective will be to complete a 4,000 capacity terrace area for the 2008 Derby. The company will also build an adjacent Express by Holiday Inn hotel, with completion in July 2008.

The new grandstand will provide viewing for 11,000 spectators. It will also include a large 960 square metre hall with catering outlets suitable for conferences, exhibitions and other events. The first floor will also have flexible uses for conferences, banqueting and racing, while the second floor will have fourteen private facilities and a 'Super Box' for over 100 people.

Willmott Dixon is working with architect Limbrick on the grandstand, which will be ready in Spring 2009. John Frankiewicz, chief operating officer for Willmott Dixon, said, "We are very proud to be responsible for transforming such a famous venue. It will be an exceptional facility when finished in 2009, one that ensures Epsom continues as a premier racecourse in the UK."

These new projects follow completion earlier this year by Willmott Dixon of a new entrance pavilion at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

For further information, please contact: Andrew Geldard, Group Communications, Willmott Dixon.
Tel: (01462) 671852 / Fax: (01462) 681852
e-mail:andrew.geldard@willmottdixon.co.uk
Visit Willmott Dixon’s web site at: www.willmottdixon.co.uk