Monday 25 October 1999

World champion Peter Nicol was first in the queue as tickets went on sale for the 1999 British Open Squash Championships, which is coming to Aberdeen for the first time in December.

The Aberdeen Box Office has reported a huge demand for tickets for the world’s premier squash event, which is being supported by sportsscotland's Lottery Fund , Aberdeen City Council and Grampian Enterprise.

Peter, the world number one and reigning British Open champion, snapped up tickets for family and friends.

“This is going to be a fantastic event and I look forward to defending my title on home soil”, said Peter.

“The British Open is the biggest tournament in Scotland and I can’t believe it’s coming to Scotland.”

The 26-year-old from Inverurie was awarded an MBE last year for services to squash after winning a gold medal for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The British Open qualifying rounds and the women’s first round will be played at the Aberdeen Squash Club before the main event moves to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from December 7-12.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday December 11 with the men’s final the following day (Sunday December 12).

Banks of seats will be erected around all four walls of the Perspex court, with an arena capacity approaching 2,000.

A second portable court will be housed in the Sponsors’ Village and will be used for exhibitions and coaching clinics featuring junior development squads from Scottish Squash.

Tournament Director Neil Walker said:  “We have been inundated with enquires from all over the world and so far we have sold tickets to squash fans from Hong Kong, America, Australia, Italy, Germany, Holland and Sweden.

“Several season tickets, covering each session for the whole week and costing £75, have already been snapped up.

“All of the world’s leading players will be taking part and obviously each one will have his or her own entourage.

“The British Open is the Wimbledon of squash and we are expecting a fantastic party atmosphere, with the event taking place just two weeks before Christmas.”

• Aberdeen Company Seaforths have been appointed the official travel agency and can be contacted on a dedicated British Open Hotline, Tel:  0870-840 4262.  They will offer a one-stop service for squash fans requiring flights, hotel accommodation and event tickets.  They can also be contacted by email on squash@seaforths.com
• The Aberdeen Posthouse, situated adjacent to the AECC, is the official hotel for the British Open.  Special rates have been arranged for the duration of the event and further details can be obtained by calling 0870-400 9046.
• Several Scottish companies have already booked space in the Sponsors’ Exhibition Village and corporate hospitality packages are also available.  Interested companies should contact Alan Thatcher on 01622-672518 or Neil Walker on 01206-797770 for more details.
• A top class merchandising range is also being produced exclusively for the event, which will bring global publicity to Scotland and to Aberdeen in particular.
• Further details are available from the British Open Website