Racecourse Christmas Carnival goes for longer run

The Newbury Racecourse Christmas Carnival licence is expected to be extended to six weeks - promoting outrage from race course home owners.

The Carnival was given a 28 day permit earlier this year, and is now bidding to make that a six week window with a one year temporary licence.

The organisers claim the event will bring in around £3m in revenue to Newbury just in hotel stays.

But dozens of objectors have again lobbied the council to say no, citing noise, anti social behaviour and a precedent for a bigger or more permanent event in the future.

“This is a huge proposed event which would massively affect the quality of life of the residents that live at the racecourse,” said Emily Jennings.

“I don't understand why this event can't be held at Newbury Showground, which is an events venue for this specific example.”

But there are also many supporters of the event, which will see thrill rides, a big top and Christmas market.

“My family and I are in support of this application. We feel that the Racecourse and the organisers have taken into account the objections made to the last application in the new one.

“Those who objected to the last application were a vocal minority and certainly did not reflect the feelings of racecourse residents as a whole,” said Victoria McNally.

But many fear the carnival will take vital seasonal business away from the town centre.

“Pubs and restaurants in the centre of Newbury would be impacted by the carnival dragging a lot of their clientele away from the centre and given to people who have no vested interest in prompting the town.

“Please do the right thing for the people of Newbury and reject the plan again,” said Michael Durkin.

Newbury Racecourse, in partnership with Underbelly, seeks planning permission for a temporary event taking place each year over the Christmas period of November 2022 to December 2023.

Typically the proposed period of the Christmas Carnival will be from late November to early January, a period of 5 to 6 weeks.

There are usually 4 race days during the period whilst the Carnival is held. All of the scheduled race days will continue as normal with the carnival opening after the last race at 4.00pm

The new plans go before West Berkshire Council’s Western Area Planning committee this Wednesday (July 20).