QUALITY ASSURED RACECOURSES - A FANTASTIC DAY OUT
· Uttoxeter Racecourse named amongst the top 11 racecourses for raceday experience by VisitEngland
· All British racecourses accredited as ‘good’ or better
· Year-on-year scores increase by 3% as record average score achieved
Uttoxeter Racecourse has been confirmed as one of the top 11 racecourses to visit in England and Wales by national tourist board VisitEngland as part of the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme (QARS) scoring 88% during visit from an inspector.
In 2018, the RCA’s QARS once again saw all British racecourses accredited as ‘good’ or better as average scores increase to 83%. This score is the highest on record for this scheme, demonstrating the continued investment in raceday experience by British Racecourses.
Each racecourse is visited by a trained assessor from VisitEngland whose job is to objectively assesses the raceday experience. This assessment includes all customer touchpoints from the raceday and also comprises pre and post event information.
VisitEngland, responsible for all assessments in England and Wales, confirmed the top 11 racecourses for raceday experience in 2018 were (alphabetised): Aintree, Ascot, Beverley, Cheltenham, Chester, Newbury, Newmarket (July), Ripon, Uttoxeter, Wincanton and York. The benchmark score to be included in this prestigious company was 88%.
Paul Swain, the RCA’s Brand & Experience Manager, commented “the Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is a much-valued offering from the RCA in that it provides an expert, objective assessment of the raceday experience. More importantly, the feedback and evidence generated help racecourses to improve this year on year which I am delighted to say has been reflected in the scores.”
Hayley Plimley, Head of Sales & Marketing from Uttoxeter Racecourse commented “we are extremely proud to be listed in the top 11 racecourses once again for visitor experience. Our strategy at Uttoxeter has been to heighten our customers experience through innovations outside of the normal parameters of racing. We utilise theming, music and experiential to bring new dynamics to the day, at the same time as ensuring great quality food and drink from local partners and suppliers.”
Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland Director, said “Our research shows that people want to visit our globally renowned racecourses with their historical pedigree and atmospheric race-day experience. The RCA Excellence accolades reinforce what people already know, that a day at the races in England and Wales is a world-class day out.
“And with racecourses dotted around England and Wales more visitors are travelling to experience all that a race-day has to offer, boosting the local economy throughout the year.”
