New stand at Bath

Bath racecourse is set to receive a makeover with the track's owner Arena Leisure Company planning a sizeable investment, including the construction of a new stand.

In plans lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council, ARC will build a new stand, with a viewing restaurant and a covered rooftop terrace overlooking the final furlong of the track, while the existing hospitality stand will be rebuilt and a cafe and bistro added to the facilities.

Provided the plans are approved, the work should begin this winter, with the stand completed late next year.

Susannah Gill, director of external affairs at ARC, told the Times: "We are not planning to shut any more courses and I hope this will help get that message across.

"Bath is such an aspirational place and nobody could argue that the racecourse quite fitted that image. This is an exciting project that will create a great sporting and leisure facility."