Editing Uk Racecourse Picnic Ban Following Health And Safety Concerns

Newcastle racecourse says that the paraphernalia associated with the quintessential English picnic has actually become a trip threat, and has actually consequently prohibited it on the grounds of health and safety, triggering outrage among racegoers.



The UK Telegraph has released the announcement by a major racecourse which draws in more than 20,000 people to meetings, which has actually prohibited picnics for health and safety factors. Newcastle racecourse said it was introducing the ban for all its 2015 fixtures, apart from one, following a number of problems at races last year. The venue's management team said stopping people from spreading out rugs and picnicking in chairs would alleviate activity around the racecourse and increase visitors' enjoyment. Racegoers will instead be supplied with a picnic area outside the racecourse, but within the broader estate. Executive director David Williamson said... "We have taken the choice not to enable picnics or picnic furniture into Newcastle Racecourse for all of our 2015 fixtures, with the exception of The Blaydon Races in August, to guarantee the safety and enjoyment of all of our visitors, which is our primary concern."

At Ladies Day and Plate Day, which frequently attract in excess of 20,000 visitors, a number of health and safety concerns were highlighted to the racecourse executive, who has said... "To guarantee the enjoyment of all those going to these popular fixtures, and for ease of activity around the racecourse, we have taken the choice not to enable picnics in any enclosure. This is not a choice that was made lightly, and we hope that this move will enable us to continue to provide a pleasurable experience for all of our visitors. In line with the change in policy, more seated locations and extra food outlets will be available in both enclosures for visitors to use should they wish, and for those who wish to have a picnic prior to coming into the racecourse we will certainly have a designated location within the estate where picnics can be had."

Regular racegoer Sue Nicholson, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, was terrified when she became aware of the policy change. She had actually prepared to go to this year's Ladies Day; a focal point of the North East social calendar when racegoers of both sexes dress up, in a group of 12 pals, but she will certainly now cancel the trip. She said... "I especially like getting spruced up, putting on silly shoes and a silly hat and going to Ladies Day. For the last 2 years I have attended with a group of about 12 pals, and we have a fantastic time. We take picnics and have a lot of fun on the water resistant blanket, but after we discovered the picnic ban, we are not going."

she also said... "The racecourse did not enable racegoers to bring their own alcohol in, so that was not part of the policy change. However racegoers spruced up in their finery may not want to eat the kind of food offered by concessions. You can take a picnic to Glyndebourne, you can take one to Ascot but you can not take a picnic to Newcastle Racecourse? Who do they think they are?" Mr Williamson said picnickers' furniture created a "prospective trip threat," which was the main reason for the ban, and not an effort to get racegoers spend more in food concessions. He said... "The choice has actually been made purely for the comfort and safety of all racegoers. The amount of people generating chairs, rugs, picnic boxes, etc, causes space to be limited for the number of people going to the race days due to picnickers taking over. The extra furniture was a possible trip threat, and a couple of people have been reported to first aid because of this. People are under no obligation whatsoever to purchase food while in the racecourse premises. For those who wish to have a picnic blanket lunch prior to coming into the racecourse, we will certainly have a designated location within the estate where picnics can be had if they so wish."

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