An open letter from James Wilcox, General Manager at Nottingham Racecourse

We are delighted that racing returns to Nottingham on 7^th April and it will be a welcome sight to have top-class horses competing on track once again.

However, the return of racing does not mean that things are back to normal; far from it. I am writing this open letter ask for your help in the coming weeks and months.

The gradual easing of restrictions as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, combined with an improvement in the weather, is understandably seeing more and more people eager to get out and about after the challenging winter we have all had.

During the first few weeks of our season racing remains behind closed doors and subject to strict protocols to minimise the risk of virus transmission. These protocols have been hugely successful at racecourses across the country – including at Nottingham last year - since the sport resumed last June, but they depend on the site being secure and not having a public presence in or around the racecourse.

For the reasons outlined above, I would ask you to avoid the racecourse and surrounding area on the following dates:

7^th April

17^th April

27^th April

7^th & 8^th May

Unless you are permitted to attend behind closed doors fixtures.

Minimising the public presence around the racecourse will allow us to operate a secure site for racing. It will help to ensure we can continue to progress towards the easing of restrictions, which will in time allow the phased return of spectators and mean other aspects of everyday life can begin to return to a more recognisable state.

We understand people will be used to using the middle of the course in particular as they have done regularly over the autumn and winter, and that racing is a sight that has not been seen for some months in Nottingham.

However, I would ask you to wait just a little longer until we are able to welcome you back to the racecourse properly. We are greatly looking forward to doing so but would ask that until we can, you avoid coming to the racecourse and surrounding area when we are racing.

Thank you for your help, patience and understanding.

James Wilcox

General Manager, Nottingham Racecourse