For almost a century, Towcester Racecourse has prided itself on delivering fun, inclusive and family-friendly events with horse racing at the heart of its culture and heritage.
The prestige associated with Towcester is encapsulated when you enter our gates and see the grandstands, the course, the views, the finish line – where legendary jockey AP McCoy rode his 4,000th winner aboard Mountain Tunes in 2013.
The 94 years since Towcester first opened has not been without its well-documented financial issues. But even as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and a devastating period of business for the events and hospitality sector, Towcester Racecourse remains strong.
When we signed a 10-year lease agreement to reinstall Towcester at the heart of the community in October 2019, our plans stretched beyond the boundaries of what’s possible within the perimeter of the world-famous racecourse.
The day-to-day running of Towcester is maintained by our frequent greyhound racing events.
But we inherited facilities with outstanding potential. Facilities which could transform a tired venue into one that becomes a go-to location for live events, sport and conferences plus private celebrations and functions.
Of course, we all know what happened five months later. Just as we had unlocked Towcester’s doors to the public and looking forward to an exciting new era, we had to close the gates once more. And it was completely out of our control.
The first months of lockdown gave our team the opportunity to pause and consider why such a historic and picturesque location had collapsed under its previous management, and what we could do differently to bring the crowds back.
I don’t believe it’s controversial to say events historically hosted at Towcester attract a certain type of crowd – ‘racing folk’ we call them. To be a financially viable and inclusive venue, we need to maximise every one of the 310-acres we have access to.
That means delivering quality, memorable, events which appeal to our existing and new target audiences. We want everyone in Northamptonshire and those living in our catchment area to experience a positive connection to Towcester Racecourse at least once a year.
How we do that is our biggest challenge, but one we’re excited to take on as we prepare for the first restriction-free summer since we took on the lease.
Now is a fantastic time to visit Towcester Racecourse if you’re yet to experience our venue.
This week, the prestigious English Greyhound Derby will begin with 192 of the world’s fastest greyhounds competing for a record £175,000 first prize over five weeks of enthralling racing.
In June, scores of artisan food and drink stalls and thousands of foodies across the UK will attend the annual Towcester Food Festival. Complete with chef demos, tasting sessions, cheese masterclasses, live music and kids cookery classes, the festival will offer something for everyone.
We also have the Classic Bike and Car Gathering in July and will continue to utilise our hospitality space for weddings, celebrations, nights outs and family occasions which transform Towcester into a true multi-functional seven-day-per-week venue.
I’m a strong believer in the power of places like Towcester having a direct and positive impact on people living in the immediate vicinity of our entrance.
People’s mental health and wellbeing has come under significant strain in the last two years, and recent increases to the cost of living will only add to it. As Managing Director at a major Northamptonshire venue, my team and I are in a privileged position to be able to support those who require it most.
It’s why part of our strategy to reconnect with the community is delivering complementary mental health and wellbeing programmes in partnership with legendary boxer Frank Bruno and his recently established Frank Bruno Foundation.
The charity does outstanding work supporting those living with mental health challenges via its non-contact boxing programmes and wrap around wellness services. Already, dozens of people are making positive changes to their lives and aspiring to better futures because of their support.
And we have no issue employing those who thrive via the foundation’s programmes. Having a bright, friendly and talented team of local people all working towards the same goal is just as important to our long-term success as having a carefully mapped out strategy.
One day, we’d dearly love to reinstall horse racing to Towcester Racecourse and have already explored this option with the relevant authorities. It’s a work in progress, and one we want you to be part of.
By Kevin Boothby, Towcester Racecourse Managing Director
Edited by Shaun Reynolds
