York Racecourse has submitted a planning application to transform the area of the racecourse which lies to the south of the Knavesmire Stand.
This £5m investment will see improvements in facilities for racing fans with additional lawns, seating, catering outlets, toilets, bars, betting facilities and big screens, all landscaped to reflect the summer nature of the venue.
The ability to follow races live from both the Bustardthorpe Stand and Knavesmire Stand will be retained.
The vision is to create racegoer lawns beneath a high-level canopy, similar to the John Carr canopy which has been keeping racegoers at the Northern End of the venue dry since 2015.
Extensions and improvements to the food and drinks on offer, toilet facilities, betting and screen viewing also form part of the plan. In addition, back of house facilities for the raceday team, which can be up to 1,500 strong, are being transformed.
Highlights of the scheme include:
- Refurbishing and better presenting the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand, which offers live viewing of the racing;
- Replacing the existing 1950’s single-storey extension to the rear of the Bustardthorpe Stand, with a high-quality extension to compliment the work of famous York architect, Walter Brierley;
- An improved Theakston’s Bar, William Hill betting shop, toilet facilities and food outlets;
- The creation of two new racegoer lawns with an overarching canopy similar to that covering the John Carr Terrace;
- A better arrival experience, including refurbished entrance with feature gateway and enhanced accessibility;
- Landscaping continuing York Racecourse’s award-winning flowers, indigenous hedges and tree planting;
- Conversion of the temporary Roberto Village Bar facilities into a permanent feature building offering food, bar and betting;
- Environmental and sustainability features designed throughout, including solar panels, rainwater harvesting, green living roof and infrastructure to support the Racecourse’s recycling initiatives – all in support of York’s “Green Knavesmire 300” Environmental Strategy to be net zero by 2040.
The aim of the scheme is to further improve the experience for racegoers, visitors and the York team, the scheme is not about growing attendance.
This scheme, developed by Yorkshire firm Dawson Williamson Architects, is to improve the facilities for York’s Grandstand and Paddock racegoers following recent multimillion pound schemes to improve the experience for both the County Stand racegoer in the Northern End Development (2014-15) and Clocktower Enclosure (2018).
Subject to planning approval, it is intended that the new Southern End Development would be open for the busy days in the 2024 season. Mindful of both new and old neighbours, a full plan will be developed with a trusted local contractor to best manage the site traffic and delivery of the development.
William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said: “The York Race Committee have a clear vision to ensure York remains one of the world’s best racecourses and it has a track record of investing in the facilities, race programme and visitor experience.
“This latest chapter aims to improve the facilities for racegoers in the Grandstand and Paddock area, following similar recent investments elsewhere. As a summer venue, we want to provide lawns to enjoy, however we are mindful of the Yorkshire weather so we are looking to repeat the success of the canopy that sits above the John Carr Terrace.
“Practical concerns around a better arrival experience, more toilets and easier access to both food and drinks and how we better support our raceday team, all form part of this ambitious scheme.
“Having launched our Green Knavesmire 300 Environmental Strategy earlier this year, this application embeds key sustainability aspects, notably solar panels, green roofs and rainwater harvesting. Of course, it remains subject to the proper planning process, however we are keen to deliver these improvements for the busy racedays of 2024.”
