Interview
Delivering memorable and effective experiences for our organisers and our visitors is their primary driver and, if the feedback we are getting is right, we are doing as well as, if not better than, the leading event venues around the UK.
What part does the horse racing play in bringing the punters back in as potential business events clients? There’ s a great synergy, every race meeting, in essence, is a large-scale event. Many racegoers are people with business connections that have a need to hold events in their own industry. We have a great pattern of clients combining their conference agenda on day one and then a celebratory day at the races on day two for example.
How do you see the main challenges for the UK events industry at the moment? What single new piece of legislation would you ask for to improve things for both your venue and the wider industry? The challenges are the same ones the industry has been contending with for many years. The costs of delivery, exacerbated immensely post pandemic and potentially unfavourable items of legalisation that make employing event professionals more difficult. I’ d do two things, firstly reduce employer NI contributions for young people starting out in their careers; the events industry is an apprenticeship like no
other and the current policies are literally working against their intended objectives. Secondly, I’ d have tax breaks, akin to the film industry, for organisers in the international trade show sector to make the UK the best place to stage your exhibition. n
Newbury event spaces:
Newbury Racecourse has 225 acres of grounds and outdoor spaces. There are four main buildings, with over 50 flexible conference and events spaces
Grandstand, Gound Floor – Capacity 1,000; First Floor – Capacity 350; SecondFloor – Capacity 500
The Norman Foster-designed Grandstand is set over three tiers and ideal for breakouts, drinks receptions, exhibitions and networking events. It has five viewing terraces and outdoor space.
The Fred Winter & Mandarin Suite
Classic décor pays homage to a rich racing history and its Royal Box can host meetings for up to 50 delegates. Syndicate Rooms offer access to five floors of multi-use space for exhibitions, trainings, and smaller conferences.
Many areas boast stunning views across the Racecourse and surrounding countryside. The Ground Floor has a 250-person capacity and the First Floor 200. Its Mandarin Suites can host a further 100.
Hampshire Stand
The oldest stand, built in 1905, has three tiers with capacities for 300 on the Ground and Second Floors and for 150 on the First Floor.
The Owners’ Club – Capacity 240
The newest events space, it has an outside terrace and a view of the Parade Ring.
With more than 2,000sqm of ground floor space – with an additional 4,000sqm hard standing adjacent to the ground floor – plus an additional 3,000sqm indoor space with expansion, Newbury Racecourse is able to accommodate the most significant conferences, meetings and trade shows.
There is also an on-site rail station and a 36-bedroom, The Lodge Hotel.
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