Ascot locals say they love it when the races are on - as they can make extra cash by renting out parking spaces and selling items to punters.

Residents of the Berkshire town have spent the last few days gearing up for Royal Ascot, one of the biggest fixtures in the racing calendar.

The famous horseracing event - which started on Tuesday, June, 18 - is a huge boost to the local economy and attracts a range of celebrities and royals.

Some residents say they can make money from the event by selling refreshments out of their windows or even renting out parking spaces in their drives.  One man claimed his neighbour made £4k last year selling flipflops and water - while another offers up his driveway for £30 a day. 

Jon Grimes, who lives just a stone’s throw from the racecourse, loves Royal Ascot – and says it’s a “wonderful” part of living in the area.  

The 52-year-old said: “I absolutely love it. It’s wonderful. It’s one of the reasons you live here, right?  

“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.”

Mr Grimes said that people in the community often get involved in any way they can – with his children making money by selling refreshments from their front garden.  

“People around here get involved – our kids used to sell lemonade and brownies out the front of the house so they'd make some good pocket money,” he said.

“They’re a bit too old to have the ‘cute’ factor to do that now but it was fun when they did and I know others do similar things.”

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Tim, who lives next to the racecourse entrance, also mentioned the money-making opportunities Royal Ascot brings – with his neighbours making an eye-watering £4,000 during last year’s event.  

“Our next-door neighbours earnt £4,000 last year by selling flipflops and water out the front door,” the 62-year-old said.

“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.”  

Tim said he often enjoys attending the races – using the complimentary ticket he receives for living so close by. But he also admitted he sometimes chooses to go on holiday during race week as it can get too “hectic”.  

He said: “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**s. It’s definitely worse on Ladies’ Day.

“You also have to be careful about what you leave outside as one year our garden deck chairs got stolen. But it’s only one week a year and it makes so much money for the area. I understand that it’s good for people’s jobs.

“And, I have to say, the security and organisation has been so much better in recent years.”

Brian Greatorex, 68, has also had a few issues with the races over the years – such as his fence being damaged by the masses of coaches which pass down his road.  

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He said: “The coaches which bring loads of people in one go by our house, so we've had some whacking into our fence.  

“It can be a bit of a pain as you get sent around the houses when you’re trying to get it fixed.

“We also do get the odd person who comes along and uses the driveway as a toilet – but people along the road are quite good at dealing with it.  

“Our neighbour came over and sprayed a man with a hose, which I thought was brilliant. Good on her.  But in general – it's one week a year – and we enjoy going to the races. So you do get used to it.”

Like Mr Grimes’ kids and Tim’s neighbours, Mr Greatorex has also made his own money from the week when he can – by hiring out car parking spaces in his driveway. 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.”  

Siechlinbe, 72, has also had people in her driveway – but for a different reason.  

“We’ve had people stumbling down our driveway asking to use our phone or sometimes our toilet,” she admitted with a laugh.  

“One year, we had a drunk young girl asking to use the phone as she had lost her boyfriend – so we helped her. It’s nice to help.

“It’s true that it’s a little hectic but things are generally very well organised. They always pick up all the rubbish and the coaches generally get out of here by 9pm.

“And while it’s going on, the atmosphere is good.”  

Royal Ascot week also proved popular with local businesses who welcomed the boost in customers.  

Olga Klocek, assistant manager at Fego Cafe on Ascot High Street, said: “We’re very busy during the races which is good for business.  

“People come in and get breakfast or brunch before they start the day.  

“We make sure we get more staff in – and we shorten the menu so it’s easier for the chefs. But we do add a few cocktails to the menu as that’s a bit of fun.”  

Fortunately, Olga and her team have generally had good experiences with customers – despite stories of rowdy and drunken behaviour.  

She said: “We don’t really see the really drunk people as we’re more a morning than an evening place. In my experience, the customers have always been very nice.  

“It’s actually a fun day. You feel stressed the day before trying to get everything ready but on the day it’s exciting. Work goes quicker when you’re busy.”  

There are some shops on the high street which choose to shut during race week as their regular customers can’t make it in due to road closures.  

However, Raji Gill, owner of Buds & Blooms, is feeling positive about the week and has decided to keep her doors open.  

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The 39-year-old florist said: "It's our first year here 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.”