Worcester's multi-million-pound plans to modernise rejected by Levelling Up Fund

Worcester racecourse's ambitious plans to modernise its facilities and transform its grandstand have been dealt a significant blow after the city council's bid for levelling up funding was turned down this week.

Last year, general manager Michael Thomas said he hoped the track would be "reborn" through plans to extend the grandstand and build a rooftop bar, riverside cafe and a larger function room for events.

Worcester City Council, which leases the land to the Arena Racing Company (Arc), lodged a £20 million bid during the second round of levelling up funding, with £9m relating to the racecourse renovations.

It was not among the successful bids announced by the levelling-up secretary Michael Gove on Thursday but it is understood the council will bid again when applications open for the next wave of funding.

"We're obviously disappointed to receive the news the funding bid has been rejected, but will continue to work with our colleagues at Worcester Council on plans for the racecourse," said Arc's group operations director Mark Spincer.

Mark Spincer: 'We're obviously disappointed'Credit: David Davies (Getty Images/Pool)

"The development of the new weighing room has started and will commence again once weather allows, and we very much look forward to it being up and running."

Last year, the track began what it hoped would be the first phase of a major transformation when demolishing its old weighing room. Plans to replace it with a two-storey structure, including a warm-up area and physiotherapy room, are under way after being backed by Worcester City Council’s planning committee in September.

The Levelling Up Fund, launched in 2020, allows local authorities to apply for money from the government to pay for regeneration and transport projects.

The first round of funding was awarded in 2021 and more than 100 projects got a share of £2.1bn during round two.

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