Newbury Racecourse has announced further dates and opening times for their pop-up beer garden experience throughout August, following the popularity of the concept in July.
Despite some very wet weather last weekend, customers were not put off, booking reserved socially distanced seating pods for the afternoon to enjoy ITV’s coverage from Ascot, featuring the King George and Queen Elizabeth II QIPCO Stakes, won for the third consecutive time by the Queen of the Turf, Enable.
An outside bar with social distancing measures in place, friendly prices, food concessions and free Wi-Fi has kept everyone well provided for and restrictions have now been relaxed, allowing groups of up to six people from different households to sit together.
Julian Thick, Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse said: “We have been really pleased with the response to our ‘pop-up’ beer garden which launched at the start of July and already have started to welcome some visitors on a regular basis. We were unsure how popular it would prove, but it’s been fantastic to welcome Annual Members, some of our residents and regular racing customers, as well as several first-time visitors to the racecourse. We are thrilled to extend the offering across August, including the Bank Holiday weekend.
“Let’s hope for some warm weather this coming weekend where we will be showing the action from Glorious Goodwood on our big screen and we hope the space continues to remain popular for anyone looking for a socially distanced and safe environment to enjoy a drink with family and friends.”
Aligned to government guidelines around pubs reopening, contact details are captured in advance or on arrival at the racecourse and held securely for 28 days before being destroyed. All customers are asked to use hand sanitizer upon entry and adhere to social distancing rules at all times. Cashless payments only are in operation along with Challenge 25 policy where some form of ID is advised.
Further dates and opening times:
| Date | Opening times | Big screen showing |
| Saturday 1 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | Glorious Goodwood (ITV)FA Cup Final |
| Sunday 2 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 5pm | Live sport |
| Saturday 8 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | Live sport |
| Sunday 9 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | Live sport |
| 15-16 August | Closed for racing | |
| Saturday 22 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | York Ebor Meeting (ITV) |
| Sunday 23 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | Champions League Final |
| Saturday 29 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | Live horseracing (ITV) |
| Sunday 30 August | 12noon – Last entry @ 8pm | Live sport |
| Monday 31 August | 12noon – Last entry 4pm | Live sport |
The pop-up beer garden experience is free, with walk-ups available, but any interested parties are advised to reserve their seating area in advance to guarantee a space with good views of the screen, by visiting newburyracecourse.co.uk.
Access to the racecourse will be strictly via the Hambridge Road only and all cars will park in Car Park 2 with a flow system in place on arrival.
