Hilton at the Ageas Bowl officially opened by Catherine Zeta-Jones

Hampshire Cricket Chairman Rod Bransgrove was joined by family friend and Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, CBE, to celebrate the completion of the £50 million redevelopment of the Ageas Bowl at the Grand Opening of the new Hilton at the Ageas Bowl.

On Monday 6 July, a number of key figures from the local area came together to the elegant Ageas Ballroom, one of the largest ballroom facilities in the South, to mark the official opening of the 171-guestroom Hilton Hotel.

The landmark development at the Ageas Bowl boasts a wide range of dining options, including exciting new restaurant chain BEEFY’s, launched by former England captain Sir Ian Botham who was also present to help with the Grand Opening, the UK’s first luxury Hilton eforea spa and a relaxing and spacious setting for conferences and events.

Hampshire Cricket Chairman, Rod Bransgrove said: “This is a huge day. It’s not only the completion of the hotel we are celebrating today, it’s the completion of a massive journey that started fifteen years ago when we moved from Northlands Road to this impressive new site. In 2005, we realised to make the best out of this site we had to offer more than just a cricket ground and here we are today celebrating the opening of this magnificent Hilton Hotel.”

On arrival, guests were welcomed to a performance from the Crestwood College Steel Band, prior to Rod and Catherine formally unveiling a plaque to mark the opening of the latest and most impressive development at the Ageas Bowl.

Guests were then treated to an impressive display from an aerial silk performer, before enjoying a wide selection of food and drink stations, including a seafood bar and hot and cold canapés.

Dominic Osborne, General Manager, Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, said: “Today we celebrate the completion of The Ageas Bowl development, which recently saw the opening of Hilton at The Ageas Bowl. It is a fantastic opportunity to look back on the great work that has been achieved so far by everyone in the project, as well as look forward to what I am sure will be a very exciting future for the home of Hampshire cricket.”