New Racecourse at Essex Showground, Great Leighs, between Chelmsford & Braintree
PRESS INFORMATION
February 13 2004
Work underway at Great Leighs
Work has begun on the site of Great Leighs, Britain’s first new racetrack since 1927.
Bulldozers today started on phase one ground levelling works for the management complex and the 120-box training yard, plus tree-stripping on the densely wooded island site where the race-day stabling will go. Owner and promoter John Holmes expects the whole project to be complete by June 2005.
John Holmes said: "I am delighted to have started work on a significant project that we’ve always hoped will be a great addition to Britain’s racing portfolio. It results from four years detailed preparation work. I have never lost sight of the fact that this is a destination that is purpose-built to meet the changing demands of modern racing."
Great Leighs, north of Chelmsford, Essex, is the only new all-weather proposal at either a new or existing track that was approved by the British Horseracing Board’s New Racecourses Committee last June. The multi-purpose remit of the grandstand takes Great Leighs’ attractive demographics into account. It includes conferencing and exhibition space, a sports betting hall, a fitness centre and a range of bars and restaurants which are being developed in conjunction with celebrity chef Brian Turner another first for East Anglia.
The all-weather oval track has wide bends in keeping with the new Jockey Club minimum 135m radius specification, and the stands are situated to take spectators into the heart of the action.
In response to recent speculation about the uncertainties of Levy Board funding for the growing number of all-weather proposals, John Holmes commented:
"Whatever happens post OFT, Levy Board and attheraces, we are poised to plough our own furrow as a multi-purpose destination. Our business plan has always been framed so that we can start without industry subsidy if we absolutely have to."
"We are in constant dialogue with the BHB and are confident that in due course Great Leighs will get Levy-funded fixtures on merit because of the many benefits of its purpose-build. You cannot compare Great Leighs with an existing racecourse that wants to put an all-weather in the middle of its turf circuit, divorced from the stands."
"This concept may not work in rural Somerset, but four years into the business plan we are ever more convinced that Great Leighs is what’s wanted in prosperous mid- Essex. We were sitting pretty in the middle of unprecedented housing and highways developments, even before the recent expansion of Stansted was announced."
Earlier attempts to start were delayed by wet and then frozen weather, so coincidentally work has finally begun as John Holmes reaches the seventh anniversary of completing his purchase of the former Essex County Showground.
Planning permission to redevelop the venue as an all-weather racecourse with 365-day-a-year use was granted in January 2002, and the British Horseracing Board announced Great Leighs as the UK’s 60th licensed track in June 2003.
Regarding an opening date, John Holmes added: "It is not unreasonable to assume that the first new British track in 70-odd years will attract global interest, and its opening will be an international event, so we have to get the timing exactly right."
Further information and pictures from Pippa Cuckson
01245 362412
07717 327 236
pippa@greatleighs.com
