Go-ahead for Chester Racecourse revamp

Image: Chester Race Company

Chester Race Company has been given the go-ahead by the local council for major upgrades at Chester Racecourse in England.

Chester Race Company said planning permission covers proposals for a new year-round Hospitality Building designed to accommodate up to 1,000 guests, as well as a state-of-the-art Facilities Hub on Saddlery Way.

Chester Racecourse, also known as the Roodee, is a racecourse located in Chester, England. The venue is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the “oldest racecourse still in operation”.

The latest plans, given the green light by Cheshire West and Chester Council, outline approximately 5,000 square metres of development across two sites.

The new venues are intended to support the future ambitions of Chester Racecourse as a leading venue for horseracing, hospitality, and events.

The scheme includes a hospitality building, designed by Kay Elliott, that is intended to provide a contemporary space for guests and potentially support Chester as a destination for conferences, exhibitions, and major events.

The proposals also incorporate a series of suggested infrastructure improvements to the Roodee, such as enhanced drainage systems, and aim to achieve a ‘BREEAM Excellent’ sustainability rating, reflecting Chester Race Company’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.

Additionally, planning permission has been granted for a Facilities Hub on Saddlery Way, designed by Lovelock Mitchell.

This complex is planned to bring together essential operational and support functions, including offices, catering facilities, maintenance and storage areas, and staff amenities, with the aim of enhancing efficiency and modernising back-of-house operations at the racecourse.

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Chester Race Company, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been secured for this project. This represents a significant step in our ambition for Chester Racecourse and the benefits it can bring to the city.

“The plans offer the potential for first-class facilities, modern infrastructure, and sustainable design for the future. While this is a major milestone, we recognise that there is still much work ahead to finalise the proposals and achieve board approval, which will be essential to move forward successfully.”

The proposals have been shaped by a team of experienced professionals, including Kay Elliott (architects for the Hospitality Building) and Lovelock Mitchell (architects for the Saddlery Way Facilities Hub).

They have worked in collaboration with Ramboll (structural and MEP engineers), Thornton Firkin (cost consultants), Ridge & Partners (BREEAM advisers), Fenix Heritage, Kingdom Ecology, Axis (transport), GroundSolve (geotechnical engineers), and Clayton Property (project manager and planning consultant).

Further updates will be shared as the project develops.

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