Laytown cancels beach hospitality services after major hike in running costs

An unprecedented increase in running costs has prompted officials at Laytown to stop offering hospitality services at the famous annual beach fixture.

Up to 300 racegoers typically used the Meath venue's marquee facilities each year, but manager Kevin Coleman told the Racing Post that providing the same services this year would have been a loss maker for organisers.

No corporate hospitality was available when the once-a-year fixture was last held in November 2021, having been moved from its original September slot after concerns over how Covid-19 guidelines could be implemented. The 2020 meeting was cancelled due to similar issues.

Coleman said hospitality marquees had been in place at Laytown for approximately 15 years and often attracted interest from British racegoers.

"A decision has been made by the committee for there to be no hospitality at Laytown this year," said Coleman.

Laytown's 2021 fixture was moved from September to November last year over Covid-19 restriction requirementsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We priced up our facility for 2022 but it would have resulted in a loss for us. We would have had to increase our charges by 50 per cent. As things stood, we had been charging €100 [per person].

"We weren't trying to profiteer from the situation and had to make an informed decision. I don't think it will be returning for the foreseeable future."

Coleman added: "People had booked for 2020 and the meeting didn't take place because of Covid. Those people were given the option of rolling their deposits forward or getting their money back, and quite a few people took their money.

"There was no hospitality in 2021 and now some of those 2020 deposits have rolled on to 2022. We looked at pricing but everything has gone through the roof.

"I'm sure some people would have paid the extra money but it just wasn't feasible – we were chasing costs that we've really never experienced before."

Laytown's decision has been communicated to those with marquee deposits rolling over from 2020.

However, some British-based racegoers had already booked flights and accommodation for the meeting in the expectation of hospitality services.

Laytown: popular destination for British racegoersCredit: Patrick McCann

Coleman said refunds are being processed for these individuals, and free general admission to the fixture will be offered to them as a goodwill gesture.

"We haven't forgotten those people and recognise they have been very supportive of us through the years," said Coleman.

"I know the hospitality setting was certainly enjoyed, and we've had some sponsors and racegoers put out, but people coming to Laytown get as much of a buzz out of being there and seeing the spectacle as they do sitting in a corporate marquee."

On the factors driving the increase in costs, Coleman added: "Firstly, there's massive demand on temporary equipment such as marquees. Demand pushes up the price. Not only that, people in the marquee industry are suffering the same as the general hospitality people – they can't get staff and have demands for higher wages.

"We will use the area taken up by the corporate marquee area to provide better facilities for every racegoer, because the intention is that we'll create a food-court experience in the same place."

Laytown first staged racing by the sea in 1868 and this year's fixture will take place on September 8.

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