'I hope this racecourse will be reborn' - Worcester development in the pipeline

Worcester racecourse could be set for a major facelift with an application for a refurbishment costing up to £10 million awaiting approval.

The city of Worcester is set to benefit from the government’s levelling up investment programme, with funding likely to head to historic venues. The jumps track in the heart of the city fits the bill perfectly and is hopeful of being selected having celebrated its 300th birthday in 2018.

The ambitions to revolutionise the track include a major development and extension of the existing grandstand in addition to the hope of building a roof terrace. A new entrance and improvements to prevent further flooding are also among the plans.

Worcester has already started the first phase of a major transformation with a new two-storey weighing room being created and improvements scheduled for the centre of the track, which is only opened up for bigger fixtures.

General manager Michael Thomas accepts the facilities are not up to scratch. In recent years the racecourse has come under fire, with Alan King highly critical of one experience while owners and trainers briefly threatened to boycott the track.

Worcester: facilities are set for a facelift under new plansCredit: Lewis Porteous

The owners and trainers’ bar has since been moved to the Croft Suite, previously available for members of the public, and the new developments are aimed at enhancing the racecourse experience for all visitors.

Thomas took the role in January 2020 but his immediate ambitions had to be put on hold, first with the track underwater following major flooding only a month into his tenure and then compounded by further difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He and his team appear quietly confident of gaining approval and around £4m to £5m in funding which racecourse group Arena Racing Company (Arc) will match pound for pound.

He said: “There’s little doubt this racecourse needs some development to bring the facilities and the environment up to date. The racecourse has been here for 300 years and is cherished by the people of Worcester. It’s developing and we’ve been fortunate with the levelling up funds available for cities of historic importance and for venues of historic importance in that city.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity but mindful this still has got to be approved. I sincerely hope it’s approved and that this racecourse will be reborn in many ways and here for everybody to enjoy.

“This upgrade will ensure the racegoers have the facilities people come to expect these days. It gives us additional opportunities too with non-racing events but the priority is based on making this a racecourse Worcester can be proud of. The plans look absolutely wonderful.”

Worcester is to receive government funding to improve tourism as it attracts fewer visitors than other similar cathedral cities such as Gloucester, Lincoln and Exeter.

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