Surbiton hoping to cash in on the 2012 Olympics

Surbiton is hoping to cash in on the London 2012 Olympics.  Surbiton Hockey Club is setting up an Olympic campsite at their Sugden Road ground and is advertising around the world.    Camping at the Games has joined forces with the England Hockey Board to offer the campsite in conjunction with a range of hockey events that will also be taking place. 

 

Bookings are now being taken for the Surbiton HC campsite.  They are advertising Parking, 24 hr running water, showers, toilets, allocated washing up area, bar – serving cold beverages, alcohol, hot drinks and snacks, large screen TVs, BBQ nights and lots of green space.  With all the international campers turning up, it should create a great atmosphere.

 

As well as the camping, Surbiton Hockey Club intends to put on lots of hockey based events throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.  There are planning a "Hockey 5 Week Frenzy", which will give people the opportunity to take part in some sporting action, as well as watching it.  We shouldn't forget that several of Surbiton hockey team are likely to be playing in the Olympics as part of Team GB.

 

Many of the campers will be using Surbiton Station to get to the Olympic events and into central London.  The station is due to be decorated with London 2012 flags and decoration.  This will be a great opportunity for Surbiton businesses to gain from the extra passing trade.

 

Recently the newly formed Surbiton Business Community (SBC), along with the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, organised a meeting for local businesses to learn about how to prepare for the upcoming Olympics.  There were speakers who advised on ways that local businesses could get involved and take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.  The meeting at Glenmore House in Surbiton Crescent was very well attended and another success for the SBC.

 

Since the Surbiton Business Community meeting, it has been reported that a local Surbiton company has won the right to provide goods and services for the Olympics.  Coffee Bay Cafes will be at the Games delivering equipment for around a dozen sponsors' chalets, with the responsibility of providing trained baristas to serve customers.  Coffee Bay is part of Traders Coffee who used to have a shop in the centre of Victoria Road, but is now based at 274 Ewell Road. 

 

We all know the Olympics have cost the country a lot of money, so it's great to hear of Surbiton Hockey Club and a local business benefiting.  Let's hope it's a sign of things to come for our local shops and businesses.