Olympic Stadium Q+A Part Two

West Ham United would like to thank the hundreds of supporters who have taken the time to email the club's [email protected] address with questions about the exciting move to Stratford.

The Board have answered some of the most common questions below. Please keep your questions coming in and we will answer another selection next week.

Will there be improved catering facilities at the Olympic Stadium?

Absolutely. The catering facilities on offer in and around the Olympic Stadium will be world-class.

We have looked at many of the other top stadia both around the UK and internationally including those you may be familiar with such as Wembley and the Emirates. Our intended offer will at least match, if not exceed the best in the market.

Many of the frustrations our supporters experience at the Boleyn Ground such as the limited choices on offer are as a direct result of the infrastructure restrictions in a stadium of this age.

This is not the case with a modern state-of-the-art stadium that is being designed with all of the knowledge and experience required to understand and meet ever-expanding modern day supporter needs.

The catering outlets and kiosks in the transformed UEFA Category 4 stadium will be brought onto the podium to form part of the main stadium as you would expect from a world-class arena.

The new stadium also enables a 'Club Level offer' for supporters and their families who still wish to enjoy a more traditional matchday experience but require access to a lounge, hot food and drinks.

What will happen to the ashes at the Memorial Garden at the front of the Boleyn Ground?

The club has been mindful of this consideration throughout this process and can assure all supporters that we will treat this situation with the upmost sensitivity and respect deserved by our departed supporters who are resting or remembered in the Memorial Garden.

We believe any action must be in line with the wishes of the families involved. There is no comprehensive list which details those who are rested so we'll be reaching out to the families we are not yet already in dialogue with asking them to get in touch.

We are in full consultation with the club's chaplain Reverend Alan Bolding regarding this matter.

What will happen to the commemorative bricks?

We will take supporters' personalised messages over to the Olympic Stadium with us but because many of the existing bricks are showing signs of wear and tear it's likely messages will be transcribed again. We appreciate their sentiment and for many fans, they've been given as gifts to friends and family, and therefore we're keen to find a new home for them in Stratford.

What progress has been made with the supporter survey?

Following last week's appointment of independent research organisation YouGov, they have now exclusively revealed details West Ham United's supporter poll.

The poll will offer fans the unique opportunity to have their say on the move to the world-class UEFA category 4 (the highest category of football stadium) Olympic Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Vice Chairman, Karren Brady has actively encouraged all supporters to take part and make sure they do not waste the once in a lifetime opportunity to have their say on what is set to be the biggest decision to be made by the club in the last 100 years.

The poll will enable the club to fully understand supporters' feelings and opinions towards the move so we can respond accordingly.

YouGov are currently programming the survey to ensure that every eligible supporter can be contacted and verified and that the questions enable West Ham fans to express their opinions on every aspect of the move.

Will international supporters be given the chance to participate in the survey?

Supporters living abroad who are on the club's database who fit the criteria of either holding a high level relationship with the club or match attendance will also be offered the opportunity to have their say when the survey is released.

Would the club consider opening a West Ham museum at the Olympic Stadium?

Although there are no plans as yet to open a West Ham United museum within the stadium, all of the club's memorabilia and trophies will be coming with us and will be displayed for all to enjoy with the pride and reverence they deserve.

When does the lease begin?

West Ham will relocate to the Olympic Stadium in time for the start of the 2016-17 season, but we will not move until we are satisfied that the stadium is ready for football and for us to host our first match. There are extensive redevelopment works to be completed so that the stadium is able to host major footballing events. We have worked hard to agree a specification for the works and we will ensure they are implemented before we relocate.

Will the move create potential opportunities for local construction firms?

West Ham United will look to appoint a fit out contractor with strong knowledge of West Ham United to ensure that all areas suitably reflect the club's heritage and history.

All major contracts will be led by the Stadium SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle). We advise companies to make direct contact with the SPV when appropriate as the club will not be responsible for appointing construction companies to carry out the main conversion work.

Will there be parking facilities for supporters on a matchday?

There will be ample parking opportunities for those supporters who wish to drive to the stadium on a matchday.

However one of the core benefits of the move is that the venue is one of the most well-connected stadiums in Europe so there will be lots of easy alternative ways to travel on public transport to the ground on a matchday.

This was one of the key aspects that attracted the club to the stadium, as it will ensure easy access - within minutes in many cases - from our core catchment areas throughout Essex and east London.

It is already serviced by the second best connected station in London and nine lines across London's Overground and tube network, with Crossrail set to be added by 2017.

Will any more pictures be released?

Yes and we will look forward to sharing artist's impressions and further technical drawings from the architects as and when they are received.