July Course Redevelopment Fact Sheet

Redevelopment Overview

  • The redevelopment in 2007 is the first major phase of a comprehensive masterplan for the July Course and was aimed at bringing its facilities up to the requirements of the 21st century without losing the course’s unique character and rustic charm.
  • The 2007 phase was centred almost entirely on the area behind the grandstands in the Premier Enclosure (formerly Members’ Enclosure) and Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure.
  • The aim was to create more space for greatly enhanced crowd circulation together with much easier access to brand new toilets, bars, restaurants, cafes, other food outlets, betting outlets, areas of seating and other facilities. 
  • NO changes were made to:  the parade ring, the pre-parade ring, the winners’ enclosure or the stands themselves.  Upgrading the stands and relocating the winners’ enclosure will be part of phase two of the masterplan assuming that funding can be secured.  Realistically, phase two will be at least 4 or 5 years away.

Scheme Summary

  • The July Course perimeter has been extended back by 20 metres at its maximum on to part of the National Stud paddock which is used for car parking, so that an additional 4,000 square metres has been gained to the rear of the grandstands to provide additional space to enhance crowd circulation and comfort.
  • All the ancillary buildings behind the grandstands in the Premier Enclosure (formerly Members) and Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure were demolished – except the weighing room, main entrance and saddling boxes.
  • These were replaced with:
    • new entrance buildings and turnstiles along the realigned rear perimeter
    • two eye-catching new pavilion buildings, linked with an aerial walkway, housing a new bistro, café, bars and toilets
    • other new toilets, totes and betting shops
    • a new, enlarged owners & trainers bar
  • The July Restaurant at the rear of the first side-on grandstand in the Premier Enclosure was modernised and enlarged, with a conservatory at the back.
  • Following a detailed assessment of the trees on the site, a number were identified as potentially dangerous and therefore needed to be cut down while a small number of others needed to be removed to facilitate the redevelopment.  To replace them, a total of 31 semi-mature beech trees were being planted, ranging from 4 to 9 metres in height.  In addition, a considerable amount of other landscaping was carried out to ensure that the unique July Course environment was maintained and even enhanced.
  • The boundaries of the three Enclosures were realigned to optimise the allocation of facilities and to reflect the growing demand for Premier Enclosure admission.

Redevelopment Facts and Figures

  • Work commenced on 1 September 2006 and completed in May 2007. The main contractors were Kier Eastern from Wisbech, part of the Kier Group who also carried out Cheltenham Racecourse’s recent redevelopment.  The architects were Limbrick.
  • The first racedays of the 2007 summer season were 22 and 23 June and the new facilities were officially opened on the first day of the Ritz Club July Festival, Wednesday 11 July.
  • Total cost £10m.
  • Increase in area behind the stands following perimeter realignment = 4,000 square metres.  Maximum crowd capacity increases from 19,000 to 21,500.  Premier Enclosure capacity up from 10,000 to 12,500; Grandstand & Paddock unchanged at 7,000; Family Enclosure unchanged at 2,000. 
  • The area behind the stands that is in the Premier Enclosure has increased by 86% from 3,320 square metres to 6,176 square metres, though Premier Enclosure crowd capacity has increased by only 25%.
  • The area behind the stands in Grandstand & Paddock has increased by 10%, though the capacity is unchanged.
  • There is a 195% increase in permanent female toilets and a 150% increase in permanent male toilets.
  • All spoil from foundations and trenches is being re-used on site.
  • Other Facts and Figures
    • 175 kms of cabling
    • 10,000 square metres of fabric roof structure
    • Over 200 tonnes of steel
    • 2,700 linear metres of timber decking (all certified by Forestry Stewardship Council from sustainable forest)
    • 9,000 sq metres of new turf
    • 21 kms underground ducting

Design & Technology by Precedent