Bath Racecourse’s multi-million pound redevelopment is already paying off, it said today, with the enhanced conference facilities contributing to a 58% increase in revenue on non-racedays.
Some 500 more delegates have booked for the first quarter this year than during the equivalent period last year – with inquiries about future events also up on the previous year. 
As well as more support from local businesses, the Lansdown course is witnessing an increase in interest from national and regional organisations.
New clients include Strakers Land & Property auctions, which will be holding events every quarter.
Last year’s redevelopment of the flat racing course, owned by the UK’s largest racecourse operator Arena Racing Company (ARC), included a new three-storey grandstand and a hospitality stand.
The redevelopment aimed 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. 
Bath Racecourse executive director Jo Hall, pictured, said: “Off the back of a record Christmas party season with more than 2,000 guests enjoying festivities in our popular shared party marquee, and a number of new clients enjoying exclusive parties in the new stand, we have been impressed by the way our new facilities have been received.
“Customers are using our venue more for non-raceday events, which was the ambition when we invested in improvements, and we are particularly delighted that our investment is providing a return as quickly as it is.”
She said a range of new events would be staged this year, such as a Mothers’ Day event, while planning for its New Year’s Eve party had already started, along with a bigger Light up Lansdown fireworks display following the very successful inaugural display last year which attracted more than 4,000 people.
The Langridge Grandstand building is set to become a landmark thanks to its exclusive roof garden, which offers visitors an unrivalled viewing spot on race days and is set under an enormous sail-inspired canopy.
The grandstand also features the spacious ground-floor 1811 public bar with viewing steps for up to 400 people as well as a 200-seat trackside restaurant and function room with a balcony, named after Bath’s famous Royal Crescent.
