NEW images show how the city’s racecourse could look in the future after a multi-million-pound transformation.
A bid, which would see the grandstand at Worcester Racecourse extended to make way for a new summer rooftop bar, was backed by councillors last week and will now be sent to the government.
The latest artist’s impressions show how the new glass-clad grandstand at the city’s Pitchcroft racecourse in Grand Stand Road would look if the government cash is granted.
The work, which forms part of a £20 million bid which is set to be put forward to the government for ‘levelling up’ money, includes the ‘modernisation’ of the new ‘greener’ racecourse grandstand which would create a new venue capable of hosting large events, conferences and public celebrations all year round.
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The bid also includes plans for a new riverside café and function room for weddings and parties.
Improvements would also be made to the main racecourse entrance with the ground levelled to help during flooding and more toilets would be built.
The racecourse part of the bid totals £9 million with Sports Arena putting forward half of the money.
The work at Worcester Racecourse has been met with criticism with some councillors saying the council should not be profiting from horse racing and gambling.
Green city councillors Louis Stephen and Karen Lewing spoke out against parts of the bid saying it was “unethical” for Worcester City Council cash in on the two pursuits.
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Cllr Louis Stephen, leader of the city council’s Greens, said he was unenthusiastic about the plans.
“I think there will be some people who query why we want to be investing in something that is supporting gambling and potentially have issues with protecting animal rights,” he told councillors.
Cllr Marc Bayliss, leader of the city council, said he disagreed that horse racing was unethical and said the council already made money from selling alcohol in venues and at events and from handing out gambling licences.
He said: “I’m satisfied that the proposal, or the one that is at our own conference facility, will benefit the people of Worcester and will bring in more money and develop our economy in many important ways.”
Earlier this year, the council said it was planning to invest more than a million pounds to create better connections between the city centre and the River Severn in order to draw more people to stay.
A report commissioned by the council has found that Worcester is lagging far behind other cathedral cities such as Gloucester, Lincoln and Exeter when it comes to the number of visitors.
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