Spotlight On … Uttoxeter
A market town with ambition
From the pull of its famous racecourse to a new generation of independent hospitality businesses, Uttoxeter is building on its heritage while looking confidently to the future. Local business leaders tell Feature Focus why community, collaboration and a determination to improve the town are driving its next chapter.
Uttoxeter may be best known beyond Staffordshire for the thunder of hooves at its racecourse and its proximity to one of the county’ s biggest industrial names, but the people building businesses here see so much more.
They describe a proud and resilient market town, one whose close-knit character has continued to thrive even as new homes, businesses and visitors have arrived. It is a place where independents collaborate, established attractions bring people into the local economy and entrepreneurs are prepared to take a chance on the town.
That combination of heritage and ambition can be seen clearly at Uttoxeter Racecourse. First opened in 1907 with five race meetings a year, the countryside National Hunt course now stages 25 fixtures annually. It is also a major events venue, hosting conferences, exhibitions, fairs, celebrations, banquets, awards evenings and outdoor festivals across its 110-acre site.
GEORGE LOWE
Around 100,000 people attend its racing and non-racing events each year. The racecourse employs 18 full-time staff and 180 casual team members, with more than 550 people employed directly or indirectly on feature race days and for non-racing events.
“ Uttoxeter Racecourse is deeply connected to the town and plays an important role in the local economy, attracting visitors from across Britain and generating valuable tourism income for local businesses,” said Chloe Whiston, business coordinator for non-racing events.
“ For us, Uttoxeter is far more than a location; it is at the heart of our business, and we are proud to be an active and valued part of the community.”
The racecourse works with 28 companies that hold annual hospitality-box facilities and runs a Residents Raceday offering
UTTOXETER RACECOURSE- TEAM
complimentary admission to people in the ST14 postcode area. In 2025, 756 tickets were claimed. Surplus food and flowers from abandoned meetings are also donated to local foodbanks and care homes.
Now the venue is investing in its future through a three-phase improvement programme. The first phase will deliver a new weighing room, followed by the complete refurbishment of the Hoops Champagne Bar and the construction of a new office facility designed to improve staff welfare.
Future phases are expected to focus on further customer-facing and operational improvements, strengthening the racecourse’ s position as one of Staffordshire’ s leading sporting and events venues.
Uttoxeter’ s strengths extend beyond its visitor economy. Tuffa Tanks is a UKleading manufacturer of plastic and steel liquid storage tanks, supplying heating oil, diesel, AdBlue, water and fire-protected tanks across commercial, agricultural and domestic sectors.
The company has manufactured highspecification storage tanks in Uttoxeter for decades. Staff at Tuffa said:“ The town is deeply rooted in engineering and manufacturing heritage, making it a natural fit for a business built on quality, British-made industrial products.”
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