Chester Racecourse converts two of its venues to event spaces for the new year.

Chester Race Company says the move has been made in response to rising costs and the challenges currently facing the hospitality industry

Two popular restaurants at Chester Racecourse are to close for general dining so they can be turned into private hire venues.

From January 2023, both The White Horse and Restaurant 1539 will be made available for corporate events, weddings and parties on non-race days.

All guests who have made reservations from January 1 will have their deposits refunded. Chester Race Company says the move is in response to rising costs, adding that it will help protect “many” of its restaurant jobs.

Chester Racecourse says that as it already operates all year round as a conference, exhibition, meetings and event venue, it has taken the decision to change the operation of both restaurants on non-race days to align with this approach.

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive of Chester Race Company, said: “Like many restaurants and hospitality businesses, the significant increases in costs, particularly of utilities, means that we have to adapt our offer to overcome these challenges.

“Our new approach plays to our strengths, meets an increasing demand for interesting event spaces and protects many of the jobs of our fantastic restaurant teams.

“For many years Restaurant 1539 has offered quality fine dining in a beautiful setting, and The White Horse, a quality family pub and play area. Both restaurants offer great food and hospitality and both have recently won awards.

“We are very proud of the standards that the team have achieved and we intend to maintain those standards in their future operation.”

All guests with restaurant reservations from January 1 onwards will be contacted by the teams to confirm the cancellation of their booking and a refund of deposit.