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Commercial Corner – An update from behind the scenes at Oxford Stadium

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When tickets for our launch event sold out within days of being placed on sale, we started to grasp just how much Oxford Stadium’s return meant to people living locally.

To the thousands who have stood on our terraces, to everyone who has left messages of support on social media and those who have tuned into our opening events across the world via live streaming – we cannot thank you enough.

Our doors officially opened for the first time in a decade at 5.30pm on Wednesday, April 13, ahead of Oxford Cheetahs’ Championship clash against Scunthorpe. ‘All hands-on deck’ is a phrase that springs to mind when reflecting on the hours building up to our launch.

The scaffolding covering the entire grandstand came down 24 hours before tapes-up, roof tiles in the Savana Bar and Restaurant were being installed on the same day – this demonstrates the margins we were dealing with.

But when the tapes went up for heat one at 7.36pm, the extraordinary effort to transform a previously derelict site into what we see today struck a chord with everyone in attendance. 

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The ‘lost generation’ of youngsters aged up to 15 years old sampled speedway at Oxford Stadium in its prime for the very first time. Parents packed the terraces too, and grandparents marvelled at the return of a venue which holds lifetime memories they perhaps never thought they’d experience again.  

Selling out our first three events has really contributed to the stadium’s feel-good factor and demonstrates the public’s enthusiasm and support of our return. This land isn’t destined for housing, it’s here to create memories.

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On the topic of creation, the scores of jobs our reopening has facilitated means we are continually recruiting hospitality and kitchen staff. Ahead of greyhound racing’s expected return in June, we are hiring chefs and sous chefs and are keen to hear from those who hold a Level 2 Food and Hygiene certificate.

To view a full list of current vacancies at Oxford Stadium, please click here.

Amid our relaunch, we were proud to unveil our first bar in the Savana Bar and Restaurant in partnership with OX Gins. 

The family-run business produces eight fantastic brands from its Chalgrove distillery – all of which are available on race nights and named after Oxfordshire postcodes, including our own (OX4)!

We expect the bar to be popular among racegoers, particularly when greyhound racing returns this summer. Behind the scenes, everyone is working hard to deliver visitors with the ultimate Oxford Stadium experience.

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This includes the creation of hospitality and ticketing packages for everyone which will help establish Oxford Stadium as a go to venue for people wishing to enjoy a night at the dogs and starting their weekend in style.

Of course, our launch was never going to pass without some teething issues. But please be assured, every enquiry we receive is being handled by our team.

We understand parking onsite is at a premium, which is why we encourage visitors to make use of our complementary parking spaces and shuttle service in partnership with Unipart and Walters Coaches.

To make admission as smooth as possible, we kindly ask visitors to not park on the Ashville Road. Vehicles left here are impacting the ability for our shuttle service to access the drop-off point – which many people rely on.

Visitors should also note disabled parking spaces at Oxford Stadium on race days cannot be accessed until 5pm. Anyone arriving before 5pm will be asked to wait from next week’s visit of Berwick Bullets.

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Before signing off for another month, we were pleased to welcome Laurie Baker to our team as commercial executive. Laurie was born and raised in Oxford and is the partner of Oxford Chargers rider Nathan Stoneman. Her knowledge and understanding of the stadium and Oxford are invaluable to us – welcome Laurie!

Tickets for next Wednesday’s National League fixture between Oxford Chargers and Berwick Bullets are now on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. We’ve also launched tickets for the club’s electric scooter – which will raise funds through the season for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund, Sobell House and Oxford Speedway’s Academy.

More information about the electric scooter developed and designed by Collaborative Engineering Services and TiSTO UK is available here.

For now, thank you for your support. We hope to see you again at Oxford Stadium through May!

The Oxford Stadium Commercial team.

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