We live next to Royal Ascot racecourse & move out when it gets too ‘hectic’… but we make £4000 per year in extra cash
LOCALS living near Royal Ascot racecourse have opened up about what it’s really like – and how some of their neighbours earn easy cash.
Every year the Berkshire town swells with people dressed to the nines – and residents either love or hate it.
Some say they love the buzz and opportunity to make money – with on man said to have made a massive £4,000 on selling flip flops and water from his front door.
But others have said the festivities can get a little too “hectic” – seeing some locals even jet off on holiday for an escape.
We go every year as we love the atmosphere and people are always in good moods.
The races kicked off today, with King Charles and Queen Camilla joined by other royals in the traditional procession.
Crowds were already swarming the area – donning their best dresses, fascinators, coattails and top hats then enjoying the sunshine.
Jon Grimes, 52, lives just a stone’s throw from the racecourse and says he loves Royal Ascot.
The 52-year-old said: “I absolutely love it. It’s wonderful. It’s one of the reasons you live here, right?
Our next-door neighbours earnt £4,000 last year by selling flipflops and water out the front door.
“It’s been going on since 1711 – so it was here well before us. I don’t think you can move here and complain about it as you know what you’re going to get.
“We go every year as we love the atmosphere and people are always in good moods. It’s great fun.
“It’s very well organised too. Ascot do a great job of managing the roads and cleaning things up.”
Jon said local youngsters used to sell refreshments from the front gardens of their homes for pocket money – but most of them had grown too big for that now.
However, Tim, who lives near the racecourse, said another of their neighbours made a whopping £4,000 last year.
The 62-year-old said: “Our next-door neighbours earnt £4,000 last year by selling flipflops and water out the front door.
“Not bad for a week’s work if you ask me.
“I’ve thought about making some money myself and I considered renting the house out before. When I got quoted, it was a fantastic amount of money.
“But I don’t want it getting wrecked.”
And while Tim enjoyed heading along to the races himself – on his complimentary ticket – he admits sometimes he needs a getaway.
He continued: “It’s fun when we go to the races but if we’re not attending we often go on holiday during this week.
“It’s hectic and you do get the things people hear about – like drunk people coming into the garden to try take a p***. It’s definitely worse on Ladies’ Day.”
We’ve had five cars a day in here before so you can make good money. Bookies are regular customers.
Local Brian Greatorex, 68, had also worked out how to make money off the star-studded event over the years.
He said: “The official car parks cost £45 – so if you offer your driveway for £30.
“We’ve had five cars a day in here before so you can make good money. Bookies are regular customers.”
Raji Gill, the owner of Buds & Blooms, said she is feeling positive about the week and has decided to keep her doors open.
The 39-year-old florist said: “It’s our first year here and so we’re excited to see what things are like.
“I know that a lot of the stores along this street close for the week – but we thought it would be a good way to introduce ourselves to people.
“We’ve made a horse sculpture out of moss and we’ve got flowers out the front so we thought people might enjoy taking pictures.
“Especially all the ladies in their lovely dresses.
“We’ve heard from other local businesses that the atmosphere is really good. So we’re looking forward to the buzz.”