Chester Racecourse plans for new bar and rooftop terrace get go-ahead

The development, which will form the backdrop to the winners’ podium, will also feature an open-sided canopy over the new bar, food and drink outlets, and a seating area covered by 14 octagonal canopies.

It will replace the current champagne bar, two large canopies, existing kitchen pods and hard surface area.

Planning approval comes in the same week that Chester Race Company revealed its near-£1m plans to welcome back race-goers safely in time for its May fixtures.

If Government guidelines allow, the racecourse – currently being used as a large-scale vaccination centre – is hoping up to 5,000 guests will be able to attend on each of the three days of the Boodles May Festival.

The planning application for the new development, put forward on behalf of Chester Race Company, states: "This application seeks to deal with the consequences of the pandemic 'head on' by investing in the future and by creating generous outdoor spaces, with cover to protect racegoers from rain or hot sun, where customers can be socially distanced and the Race Company fully compliant with whatever government regulations apply.

Plans have been approved for a new circular bar and rooftop terrace overlooking the parade ring at Chester Racecourse.

"In addition, the proposal represents the next phase of investment at the racecourse, in an area which is in need of modernisation anyway.

"The main parade ring, in the centre of which is the winners’ podium, is the heart of the racing day where the TV cameras capture winning horses, jockeys, trainers and owners.

"This proposal will form the backdrop to the winners’ podium, with the circular bar and roof terrace being directly behind and overlooking."

In a planning report recommending approval, council case officer Karl Spilsbury said: "Due consideration has been given to the concerns received from the Civic Trust that the proposal would intensify the built-up nature of the area and would further diminish the character of the racecourse as open land.

"The northern inner part of the Roodee has incrementally been developed over the past two decades, with race-related development, including a parade ring, owners' paddock and restaurants.

Plans have been approved for a new circular bar and rooftop terrace overlooking the parade ring at Chester Racecourse.

"The area covered by the structures constitutes a small portion of the overall open space.

"The proposed bar and circular canopy are modest in scale, are of a similar height to the buildings within the Roodee and area sited within the existing envelope of built development within this portion of land.

"Whilst the span of the octagonal canopies collectively covers a larger area that the kitchen units and canopy to be replaced, the transparent nature of the canopies results in a lightweight and unobtrusive visual appearance."

One of the conditions for planning approval is that "no flags, parasols, canopies or other paraphernalia associated with the use of the outside roof space as a viewing platform shall be deposited on the first-floor level terrace of the development".