The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and a pint at Chelmsford?

In the Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Chelmsford

Chelmsford

Date visited: Monday, December 19, 2022

Chelmsford: final meeting of 2022

Was it a big day?

No. The last meeting of 2022 at the Essex track was a big evening for annual members, as it was their Christmas party with after dinner speakers Ray Parlour and Tony Gayle. Out on the track there were two interesting juvenile races split by a claimer, a Class 4 handicap, a Class 5 maiden and two Class 6 handicaps.

How much was entry on the gate?

Adults £18. Over 65's £15. Under 18's free.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

Both restaurants were sold out, so the only eating option on a dark December night was the The Grill Kitchen in the Grandstand, which sold gourmet burgers served with 'skin on house fries' for £7. Also, the katsu chicken burger was given a general thumbs up at £7.50. There were no outside food options but there are at the meetings in the spring, summer and autumn.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: £2.50
Cheapest pint: £5 (East Coast IPA)
Guinness: £5.50, very reasonable
Champagne: £65 (Moet & Chandon)
Burger: £7 including fries

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Very tasty, as were the fries. I was asked if I wanted salad and onions added to the burger which gave it a nice topping, and I could have had cheese for a further 50p.

Gourmet Burger : very tasty with plenty of 'skin on' fries

And the queues?

No queues as it was a quiet night at the track.

What did the punters say?

The burgers are very tasty and very reasonably priced compared to a lot of racecourses I visit in East Anglia and the South East.
James Andrews, Chelmsford

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