A racecourse will host a free family day after being denied a licence to race.
Chelmsford City Racecourse is offering a full day of family entertainment on Good Friday, April 3, at its site in Great Leighs, Chelmsford, in response to the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) decision not to grant a racing licence to its new operating company.
Nathan Holmes, chief executive of Chelmsford City Racecourse, said: "Good Friday at Chelmsford has always been about families and community.
"The event has sold out on four consecutive occasions, and last year over 9,000 people came through our gates.
"The BHA's decision is regretful, but it does not change what the racecourse is about, and that is people coming together to have a good time.
"We want local families to come along and enjoy their Easter with us – for free."
The event will run from 11am to 4pm and will include children’s entertainers, inflatables, games, arts and crafts, and three Shetland pony races.
A food village, live DJ, and petting zoo with a live animal show will also be part of the programme.
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Entry and parking are free, but advance registration is required and tickets will not be available on the day.
Chelmsford City Racecourse has become one of Essex’s most active community venues since reopening in January 2015.
It hosts a wide range of events for all ages, including the Sky Bet Sunday Series Family Day, the Remembrance Raceday, and the award-nominated Autism in Racing programme.
The racecourse also lends its support to more than 200 local charities, community groups, and businesses each year.
It has raised more than £70,000 for good causes in the past five years, including more than £34,000 through Family Fun Days for charities such as Help for Heroes, Havens Hospices, and the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.
Other community initiatives include Time for Tea events for dementia patients, an annual Unpaid Carers Raceday, and hosting one of the South East’s largest Covid-19 vaccination centres during the pandemic.
