Newmarket tour operator to reopen next month after hefty blow to finances

Tour operator Discover Newmarket is set to restart its business on August 1 after suffering a five-figure blow to profits due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The company, which is relaunching as Re-Discover Newmarket, had a healthy amount of bookings for its popular Newmarket gallop tours and stable and stud visits through the summer until it was forced to curtail operations in March.

Among the tours lost was a visit to John Gosden's yard as well as a series of 'Frankel Tours' to Banstead Manor Stud.

The company, based at Palace House, was forced to furlough a full-time member of staff and all its casual tour guides during the lockdown and beyond.

Discover Newmarket's new logo

Tracey Harding, manager of Discover Newmarket, said: "It was touch and go whether we would survive at the start of the pandemic as we had to cancel so many tours. But, thankfully, many of those that had booked turned their bookings into gift vouchers.

"We also managed to tap into some of the government grants to keep us going, but I would think we've lost over £10,000.

"Thankfully, interest has already started to pick up regarding the resumption of our tours and we're hoping to restart our visits to Banstead Manor, Shadwell and Dalham Hall studs."

Discover Newmarket ferries its customers around the town in its own minibuses, which could cause spacing issues with social distancing.

However, Harding is looking at the bigger picture and said: "Hopefully, the outdoor element when we're out on the gallops will appeal to visitors and we intend extending our season to make up for losing most of the year."

Further details at discovernewmarket.co.uk

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards