Sedgefield Racecourse has this week been named as one of the top racecourses in England, Wales and Scotland for 2016 by the Racecourse Association, in conjunction with VisitEngland.
For the eighth year running all 60 racecourses in Great Britain have been rated by VisitEngland and VisitScotland, as part of the Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme. The scheme allows VisitEngland and VisitScotland to benchmark racecourses against other attractions, ensuring that standards of customer experience remain high in the face of competition from other sporting and leisure venues.
The national tourism boards provide a rating on the racecourse as a quality day out, taking into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service, cleanliness of facilities as well as speed, quality and efficiency of the racecourse operation.
Sedgefield and fellow Arena Racing Company racecourse, Doncaster, were named in the top eleven along with Aintree, Ascot, Cheltenham, Chester, Haydock Park, Newbury, Ripon, Wetherby and York.
This accolade follows on previous success for Sedgefield Racecourse, who a finalist in the Racecourse Association’s prestigious Showcase Awards for their Owners’ and Trainers’ experience.
RCA Chief Executive Stephen Atkin said: “I’d like to congratulate Jill Williamson and the team at Sedgefield Racecourse on achieving a spot in the top eleven racecourse in England and Wales for visitor experience for the first time.
“British Racecourses have demonstrated that they offer a fun, exciting and value for money day out when compared to other attractions. We are very proud of the service that all of our racecourses offer and this is backed up by the results from VisitEngland and VisitScotland.
“Our partnership with both tourism boards gives added assurance to customers whenever they visit a racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and small can all compete on the same level when it comes to quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British racing.”
Jill Williamson, Executive Director of Sedgefield Racecourse Commented “We are absolutely over the moon to receive this accolade, which is testament to the hard work that all of the team put in to the racecourse”.
“We had a fantastic year in 2016, which saw us open the brand new Sea Merchant Fish Shop and nominated Finalists at the RCA Awards. Our high rating for VisitEngland puts us amongst some of the top racecourses in the country and I’m delighted that the quality of the experience that we offer all of our customers, whether they be racegoers or Owners has been recognised.”
Racing next returns to Sedgefield on Friday 7 April, Gents Aintree Day where all of the races from the second day of the Aintree Grand National Meeting will accompany live racing from Sedgefield on the big screen. The new Café Bistro 1927 will be open for public to purchase light bites and fresh Italian ground coffees.
For more information, or to buy tickets, please visit www.sedgefield-racecourse.co.uk
