Hereford, Folkestone Racecourses to close at end of season

Arena Leisure and Northern Racing announced Friday the permanent closure of

Hereford Racecourse and the temporary closure of Folkestone Racecourse, both

located in England. The company set out plans to cease trading at Hereford and

Folkestone racecourses at the end of the 2012 season.

The racecourse fixtures currently staged at Hereford and Folkestone will be

transferred to other racecourses within the enlarged group. The company stated

that Folkestone may re-open in the future, subject to on-going negotiations with

Shepway Council.

"Hereford is owned by Herefordshire County Council and run under a lease

arrangement," said Tony Kelly, managing director of the enlarged group.

"Attempts to extend the lease, which has 17 years remaining, have been

unsuccessful. Despite being unviable for several years we have supported the

racecourse but much-needed investment, required to breathe new life into the

racecourse, cannot be justified in the absence of a long-term future for the

business.

"Folkestone suffers from out-dated facilities and has been the subject of

detailed discussion between the previous management, Arena Leisure, and Shepway

District Council for several years now.

"The proposal for the site incorporated significant residential development,

which would have enabled a new racecourse to be constructed with much enhanced

amenities.

"However, these plans have been delayed following the recent Examination in

Public of the local plan. Discussions will continue with Shepway District

Council in the hope that there will be approval of development plans which would

secure the future of the racecourse. If they succeed, work to reconfigure the

racecourse could commence in 2013.

"Every effort to continue trading at these racecourses has been explored but

it is with regret that a variety of circumstances means that this is no longer

possible, therefore both Hereford and Folkestone racecourses will therefore

cease trading at the end of the 2012 season.

"The fixtures will be transferred to other racecourses within the group,

where we will be able to offer increased prize money and better quality

facilities for connections and racegoers alike."

Bet Horseracing Free Online at

TwinSpires.com