The organisers of Olympia, the London International Horse Show, have reported that they look forward to working with the venue’s owners on a £1bn transformation of the site. Planning permission was given by Hammersmith & Fulham Council in London to YOO Capital and Deutsche Finance International for a transformation of  the 132-year-old landmark ‘into an arts, entertainment, events and creative business quarter’. The project will span five year and ‘turn the 14-acre site into a destination with leading hotels and restaurants, plus performance venues and state-of-the-art office space’. The development will start next year, and the aim is to have the horse show run as normal throughout the project. YOO Capital chairman John Hitchcox commented; “Not only is this great news for London, it’s also an example of a British project with European investment creating jobs and opportunities in spite of the current economic and political climate.” The project plans include a 1,400-seat theatre, a 1,000-seat performing arts venue and two hotels and a 200,000 square foot ‘logistics centre’. A spokesman for the horse show stated; “Olympia, the London International Horse Show, welcomes the planned investment in the Olympia Exhibition Centre. We are very pleased that the venue is being upgraded and that visitors to the London International Horse Show at Olympia will have an enhanced experience in the future. As organisers we look forward to working with the venue and contributing to the detailed planning process.”