Sodexho Prestige has been awarded the catering and hospitality contract for Great Leighs in Essex, Britain's first new racecourse in 80 years.  Great Leighs, which is likely to open in Spring 2006, will be the country's first "integrated leisure and racecourse destination" and promises to reinvent the racing experience.

 

The deal, worth £140m, is believed to be one of the most valuable catering contracts in British racing and its unprecedented 20-year duration emphasises Sodexho Prestige's commitment to the project.

 

The £40 million leisure destination, currently under construction at the Essex County Showground, will include a state-of-the-art grandstand and all-weather racetrack, a betting hall and conference and banqueting facilities for up to 1,200 guests. Floodlit racing will be held every Saturday night and there will be an additional 16 daytime feature race meetings.

 

Sodexho Prestige will work closely with Great Leighs in the design of the catering facilities at the new venue, which will include a 700-seater 'dine and view' restaurant and at least 40 hospitality boxes, all with panoramic views across the beautiful parkland setting.

 

A 'destination' restaurant for 150 guests will also be open 365 days a year throughout the day and evening. All menus, including a freshly produced, tapas-style snack menu, will incorporate local produce. Concerts and other outdoor extravaganzas utilising these facilities will stamp Great Leighs firmly on the entertainment map.

With its futuristic stand and diversity of entertainment, Great Leighs will bring racing to a new audience and will offer a modern and unique venue for conferences and corporate hospitality, whether racing is taking place or not.

 

Simon Bailey, Managing Director of Racecourses and Stadia at Sodexho Prestige says: "We are delighted to be involved with such a ground-breaking project such as Great Leighs which really pushes the boundaries in leisure entertainment. The project also further strengthens Sodexho Prestige's credentials within the racing arena, by building on our current contracts with Royal Ascot at York, The John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse as well as Newbury, Epsom Downs, Sandown Park, Kempton Park and Haydock racecourses."

 

John Holmes, Chairman of Great Leighs Racing, says: "The challenge for Great Leighs is not only to design a 365-day-a-year destination but to live up to expectations and deliver an all-round food and beverage experience, be it at a race meeting, or a business lunch overlooking the unique setting of a training track. Great Leighs has the ability to nurture the committed, full-time staff that can achieve this. I am sure Sodexho Prestige is as excited as we are about the potential of Great Leighs to set new benchmarks for the industry."