Chester Races

There has recently been a report carried out outlining the impact of Chester Races on the city of Chester. The report has focused on both the positive and the negative aspects of the day’s racing. The report was commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council. As a result of this report, a working group is to be set up to monitor the negative aspects more closely.

Whilst it is admirable on the one hand that a working group is to be set up to review the negative aspects, on the other it is a shame that such a working group needs to exist. How many will there be in this group? And who will be in the group? What negative aspects will be reviewed? There must be quite a lot of negative aspects to warrant it’s own working group to be set up.

Chester Races

Chester Races

I must admit I am not a horse racing fan and so I never attend Chester Races at all. I have no interest whatsoever. Reading some articles it appears that Chester Race Company themselves have done their bit to improve the “on course” experience. They have for instance employed Race Day Assistants and cleaners and they have provided more litter bins and portable toilets. Fair do’s, they are looking for improvements so I would imagine the experience is better for the race goers themselves. But, as I say, I don’t go to the races so I can’t comment on what goes on at the course itself.

My Chester Races experience is limited to what goes on in the City before and after the meeting. If I say I try to avoid the city centre like the plague then that in itself speaks volumes. I’m not alone in taking this approach. There are plenty of us who avoid the city centre. The number of “kick-offs” or near “kick-offs” in pubs and in the streets is quite incredible really.

Even though there is an added police presence, crime figures are higher on a race day compared to a non race day. Don’t forget that virtually every pub have to employ door security as well. Imagine how many “kick-offs” these extra door security staff prevent. Without them I would imagine the crime figures would be even higher again.

Not Just About Money

The report says that Chester Races contributes £54.1m a year to the local economy. How is that £54.1 m made up? I wonder how much of that £54.1m is Chester Racecourse turnover? Also, how much of the £54.1m is due to pubs hiking up their prices on the day? Anyone been stung with being asked to pay an extra £1 for a pint as certain pubs present their alternative “Chester Races” price list.

It is surprising as well how many of the pubs that operate a “Race Day Special” price list ‘forget’ to put the prices back to their normal levels the next day.

On the other hand, some independent retailers report a reduced trade of up to 30% on race days.

However, to just look at the financial impact is narrow minded to say the least. If local residents avoid the city centre like the plague, imagine how the non race going tourists feel. No matter what the figures say, I understand there is an undercurrent of violence in the air in many pubs and in the streets.

The Effect On Other, Non Race Going Tourists

I wonder what effect Chester Races has on other tourism? I may just venture into Chester city centre on a race day one day and stand outside the Chester Grosvenor. The intention being to gauge the views of a typical Grosvenor Hotel guest. It would be interesting to ask an American tourist for instance what they think of Chester on a race day. I would imagine the reasons for their visit includes things like checking out the history. Visiting places like Chester Cathedral, the Walls, the Grosvenor Park, the Groves to name just a few attractions would be high on the list I’d imagine.

Imagine their horror of witnessing thousands of bevvied up race goers milling about, often in an intimidating mood. Would the tourists come back? Would they recommend a visit to Chester to their friends and family? I’m only guessing, but if I was a betting man (see the pun there!!), I reckon they may not be that complimentary of our beautiful city as the real life experience did not match up with the travel brochures. I doubt if any tourists imagined the sights they see and the added presence of police and Black (or White) Marias. Not many cameras clicking there.

Close Links With Other Sports

One thing that surprises me is the inconsistent approach with fans of other sports. I am talking of course about football fans. If Chester were playing local rivals like Wrexham or Tranmere Rovers for instance the pubs are closed before and for a while after the match.

On the other hand, coaches and trains pile into our city for Chester Races from all over the country. Are the powers that be so naive to think that all these punters are horse racing fans only? Of course they’re not. I would imagine that many of the altercations in the pubs after the races are football rivalry related.

I remember a few years ago I was dropped off on the outskirts of town after watching my team play, just before Chester Races emptied out. Although not wearing a footie top, the doorman, who knew me by the way, and knew I’d been to the footie jokingly said, “Sorry, I can’t let you in. No football fans allowed in”.

I jokingly replied, “Of course, fair enough. Just give me some time to pop back home, put a suit on, get absolutely trollied, put a Racing Post under my arm and I’ll be able to get in anywhere!!”

True Race Fans

Many a cynic have expressed the view that Chester Races is just one big booze up. I’m not 100% sure but someone once told me that Chester Racecourse is unique in that it is the only racecourse virtually smack bang in a town or city centre. Of course it will never happen, but why not close the pubs for an hour or two immediately after one race meeting as an experiment. I do know some true horse racing fans and they would go, beer or no beer.

But it would be interesting to see what the attendance would be if there was no alcohol on the course (who wants to pay £4+ for awful beer in a plastic glass anyway….what a rip-off!!) and if the pubs were closed after the meeting.

As I say, this would never happen but such an experiment would be interesting and would identify how many true race fans actually attend. Beer of course and having access to a plethora of drinking establishments yards away from you would not be the main attraction would it.

This Year’s Meetings

Undoubtedly Chester Races have provided a lot of enjoyment (and a lot of money) for a lot of people. It is good on the one hand to set up a working group, but bad on the other that there is the need for one. Chester Race Company themselves seem to be very proactive in making the “on-course” experience more enjoyable.

Good on them for that. I don’t know if any of the working group, or powers that be from Chester Racecourse, intend to venture into the city centre bars after the meetings. Maybe they should, so they can see the other side of the ‘increased economy’ and witness a different type of ‘true cost’. I can’t resist this…in other words, take your blinkers off (see that, another pun!!) and see why a lot of people avoid the city centre like the plague.

To all those attending this year’s meetings, enjoy the experience, bet sensibly and above all drink sensibly. Oh, and try not to kick off. Best of luck to all the extra police and door security staff.