Going the extra furlong for its visitors has earned Bath Racecourse another much-coveted award in what has been an historic year for the course.
It is celebrating winning the Racing Post Readers’ Award in the annual Racecourse Association Showcase & Awards event, which champions excellence and innovation across the raceday experience.
Bath Racecourse’s recently completed multi-million pound redevelopment helped it claim the title, which takes into account comments from the most important judges of all – the customers.
More than 300 nominations of fantastic customer service experienced at the races over the past year were sumbitted – and Bath emerged a clear winner.
The course was also in the running for the Food and Beverage and the Operational Excellence awards, with entries in both categories centered on the course’s recently completed redevelopment.
The transformation, which included a new three-storey grandstand and a hospitality stand, aims to substantially increase the course’s income from corporate and other events on non-racedays while also boosting attendances at its 22 racing fixtures each year.
The Racing Post Readers’ Award completes a hat-trick of accolades for the flat racing course, which is owned by the UK’s largest racecourse operator Arena Racing Company (ARC).
In September executive director Jo Hall was named Bath Business Person of the Year while last month the racecourse catering team claimed the title of Best Small Racecourse at the National Racecourse Catering Awards.
Racecourse Association chairman Maggie Carver said: “All of the winners have shown an exceptional commitment to providing outstanding customer experiences at their racecourse.
“It’s really pleasing to see such a wide range of racecourses winning awards, highlighting the huge variety of raceday experiences available across our sport.
“I’m very pleased for the team at Bath Racecourse, who have clearly shown fantastic customer experience and the very best in excellence and innovation throughout the year.”
Jo Hall added: “We’re over the moon to win this award, especially as it recognises the direct feedback from racegoers and customers via The Racing Post.
“2016 has been a massive year for us at Bath Racecourse, and this award, in which we were judged against all of the country’s other racecourses, really is the icing on the cake.”
Racing Post marketing director Louise Agran said: “Bath is an extremely deserving winner of the award and, from the testimonials we received, it is clear as to the exceptionally high regard in which its racegoers hold the racecourse and its stunning new facilities.
“The team at Bath consistently go that extra mile to ensure that a truly outstanding raceday experience is delivered across all aspects of its customer service and I am delighted that their aspirational work has been recognised in this way.
Pictured: Bath Racecourse executive director Jo Hall, second from left, collects the Racing Post Readers’ trophy from Racing Post marketing director Louise Agran with catering general manager Sam Knight and sales & marketing manager Maddie Difazio-Wright
