Bath Racecourse has revealed a multi-million pound investment plan to transform the Lansdown venue with a new grandstand and major refurbishment of its existing hospitality building.
The plans, which have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council, are aimed at substantially in
creasing its income from corporate and other events on non-racedays while also boosting attendances at its 21 racing fixtures each year.
The middle floor of the new grandstand will be used as a conference suite hosting up to 300 people – making it one of the largest conference spaces in Bath – and positioning the racecourse as a premier regional sporting, leisure and business venue.
The plans include:
- A new grandstand overlooking the final furlong and alongside the existing stand, with a ground-floor public bar, viewing steps for up to 400 people and a 200-seat restaurant with a balcony on the middle floor. An exclusive covered roof terrace will offer visitors unrivalled viewing opportunities on racedays. On non-racedays the new grandstand will also offer a function space for events such as conferences, banquets and weddings.
- A rebuild of the existing hospitality stand overlooking the finishing line to offer some of the best sporting hosp
itality facilities in the region. The upgraded suites will include new balconies and enhanced catering options. The ground floor will include a large new public bar on the ground floor. - The existing parade ring and winners’ enclosure will be moved slightly and improved to and the whole site will be landscaped.
- The existing bar and bathrooms in the current grandstand will be upgraded.
- A new café will offer visitors a wider range of delicious hot and cold food options.
Most of the construction work will be finished by the start of next year’s racing season in April except for the new grandstand which is expected to be completed around the time of the end of the 2016 season in October. No fixtures will be cancelled or moved to other courses. 
Bath Racecourse executive director Jo Hall said: “This is an exciting time for the racecourse with the investment plans ensuring it has a bright future. We are already a popular and thriving local attraction but the extensive improvements will ensure we become a premier destination for racing and a wide range of business and leisure events.”
Bath Racecourse, which is owned by the UK’s largest racecourse operator Arena Racing, has hosted racing since 1811.
Pictured: Top, the rebuilt hospitality stand; centre, the planned new grandstand; bottom, aerial view of the redevelopment
