Goodison Park lounges to undergo major summer renovation

Goodison Park’s hospitality lounges will undergo a major renovation project this summer that will see all of the stadium’s suites and event spaces refreshed and upgraded.

Work on all nine hospitality lounges will begin after the Blues’ final home Premier League fixture against Burnley with a full transformation of the lounge appearances, along with updates to audio-visual equipment to be completed prior to the first home game of the 2019/20 season in August.

Ahead of the Club’s proposed move to Bramley-Moore Dock, which will be subject to planning approval, the multi-million pound investment will improve matchday facilities for Members, whilst showcasing and testing new concepts which the Club could look to take forward into a new stadium.

Oliver Wright, Head of Hospitality and Sales at Everton said: “This project will help us bring Goodison Park’s hospitality offer up to a level which reflects the aspirations of the Club.

“The refurbishments to all our lounges will enhance the experience for Members and demonstrate what our approach to hospitality at a new stadium could be like.”

The Club’s more informal lounges, The People’s Club and The Captains’ Table will both benefit from an upgrade creating a ‘sports bar’ feel with industrial textures, modern loose furniture, better positioned big screens and colourful Everton graphics. The new brushed concrete flooring will see both lounges pay homage to Goodison Park’s concourses and the raised uplifted ceilings will give both refurbished spaces an airier feel. The People’s Club will have an island feature bar, whilst The Captains’ Table will feature artwork that salutes the Club’s illustrious former skippers.

The Joe Mercer Lounge, which is accessible from Goodison Place, will be refurbished in the same vain, with contemporary warehouse décor, new timber flooring and modern loose furniture. A range of new street art graphics on the walls will pay tribute to World War II hero Mercer who won two league titles at Goodison Park between 1932 to 1946.

Two of the Club’s ‘food inclusive’ lounges, The 85’ Lounge and The 1878 Brasserie, have been redesigned to maximise their available space with a palate of Everton Blue, greys, polished metal as well as raised ceilings helping to deliver a sophisticated makeover. New timber flooring, banquet & loose furniture will give the rooms a modern bistro feel whilst celebrating the heroics of the Club’s most successful ever season (1985) and founding year (1878).

One of the Club’s most popular event spaces and matchday lounges, The Alex Young Suite, will see a new décor of muted and neutral tones offering Members a brighter and more elegant setting to enjoy their three-course meals on matchdays. Enhanced mood lighting will create an ambiance that can be altered to suit different occasions, functions and events. New graphics and memorabilia will celebrate Alex Young, who was adored by fans as ‘The Golden Vision’ and recognised as one of the Club’s greatest ever players.

The Brian Labone Lounge will receive an elegant and sophisticated modernisation, with new furniture, audio-visual screens and enhanced lighting giving Members of the Club’s most sought-after lounge a premium environment, fitting of one of the Club’s greatest ever defenders and Evertonians.

The ultimate matchday experience will be offered in The Dixie Dean Suite. The Club’s exclusive, fine dining lounge will benefit from a modernised warm and sleek fit-out with the introduction of plush leather, pendant lighting and a newly positioned bar. The opulent room with private tables will pay tribute to the Club’s greatest ever goalscorer who still holds the record for the most goals (60) scored in one season.

For organisations who have invested in matchday sponsorship packages, the Club’s Sponsor’s Lounge will see a more futuristic makeover. New modern furniture and audio-visual equipment will be installed as well as a new entrance to the lounge which will improve access on matchdays.

Hospitality Lounges at Goodison Park have, and continue to be, sold out for a number of seasons and the move to Bramley-Moore Dock will enable the Club to further expand its hospitality offering.

Mr Wright added: “The exciting new concepts we have created are uniquely Everton and will be a test bed for themes as well as an opportunity to expand the appeal of our hospitality experiences in the future.”