RickK wrote:
I am sure the Club will review everything, as the leap from where Hospitality is now and where it will be when the East Stand is open for business (as Vastman says to a year round operation) is pretty huge leap
Yep, It all boils down to what they were built for.
The south ends hospitality block is ideal for what it was built to be, a matchday venue. Once inside the facilities are more than adequate for most events, I'd go as far as to say it's quite luxurious. The problem is that it has none of the additions that would make it a fully useable year-round venue. It's tucked around the side of the ground with poor access and has no sort of entrance/reception. It's very industrial until you actually get in it. That's fine on match days and for a limited number of events but that's all.
Compare the to the new East stand with its direct road access into a large well lit and landscaped car park. Then enter it via the plush locking reception, Then make your way upstairs to the function area via a double staircase or what appear to be two lifts?? Enter a large well lit room with double aspect windows and a large capacity and excellent toilet facilities and a large kitchen.
The East stand is an easy sell for almost every type of function you can think of in a way the boxes aren't, other than on matchday.
I'd have never suggested the ground level hospitality suite of the flats to anyone for almost anything if I'm honest. But if the East stand matches the plans then I most certainly would. Parties, anniversaries, reunions, corporate events of all types you name it, you'd have to be an absolute snob not to consider it a very acceptable venue.
Not everyone wants or can afford a country house wedding either, there is a market for more affordable and functional wedding venues so long as the venue is smart and reasonably attractive, I believe the East stand will be fine for many. It's a very lucrative market.
In a nutshell, the East stand should be a salespersons dream.
that would be a big kitchen 
