Debbie Nichols points out the attractions to visitors BUSINESS people taking part in a series of Reebok Stadium open days were given a sneak preview of the £12 million De Vere Whites Hotel due to open on October 30.

The 125-bedroom hotel, part of the Reebok complex, is a joint venture by the De Vere Group Plc and Burnden Leisure, the parent holding company of Bolton Wanderers.

Wanderers' increasingly pro-active commercial department contacted companies throughout the North-west and invited representatives to tour the Reebok with a view to raising awareness of available facilities for conferences, banquets, meetings and corporate hospitality.

More than 500 people took part in tours over four days last week and the experiment is set to be repeated next year.

The hotel, which is visible to motorists passing the Reebok on Burnden Way, will have premium rooms overlooking the pitch. Visitors saw a mock-up of one of the bedrooms and gazed out into the magnificent stadium.

Unfortunately the only excitement on the pitch involved workmen preparing for the week-end's concerts by pop band Oasis.

Commercial Director Gareth Moores said they had received "a tremendous response" to their invitations.

He said: "People are surprised at the quality of the facilities we have," he said.

"This is about seeing that this is more than a football stadium.

"We are a multi-facility entertainment and leisure venue."

The tour I joined featured Wanderers' Corporate Sales Manager Paul Hunt and Debbie Nichols, sales co-ordinator for De Vere Whites.

We were told that from next season executive box holders will have access to touch screens to provide action replays, highlights, websites and e-mails.

Other big names could follow Oasis in the stadium and there is a possibility the Middlebrook Exhibition Hall could host concerts in future.