Windsor racecourse scraps revolutionary new ticket policy after just one meeting following furious backlash
WINDSOR racecourse have been forced into an embarrassing U-turn on their policy of excluding some punters from accessing the parade ring.
In March, the track revealed controversial plans to introduce a new premier enclosure, which would prevent grandstand ticket holders from viewing the horses before and after races.
But after just ONE meeting with the ‘Jubilee Enclosure’ in place, and following a backlash from on-course bookies and racegoers, the track have scrapped the idea.
Monday’s evening meeting was so poorly attended that racecourse bosses had little choice but to admit their mistake.
At points throughout the card, those manning the 15 bookmakers' pitches in the newly named ‘Trackside Enclosure’ outnumbered the punters on the steps viewing the action.
Previously, a regular ticket gave you access to both the main grandstand and the facilities on the lawns around the parade ring.
On Monday, a metal fence - or as one bookie dubbed it, “The Great Wall of Windsor” - was put in place to block off the route between the grandstand and paddock.
Tickets on the door for the grandstand cost £22, while it was £32.50 for the Jubilee Enclosure, where the atmosphere was unusually quiet.
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There were dozens of empty tables under the permanent marquee outside the weighing room, where hundreds of racegoers would usually gather to eat and drink.
One on-course bookie said: “They've made history as the first racecourse to exclude grandstand ticket holders from viewing the horses before and after the race.
“They are charging over £30 so you can sit under a tent next to the paddock under the pretentious name of the Jubilee Enclosure.
“Windsor used to be a great night out on a Monday, but they are trying their best to kill this place.
“The people in charge are about as much use as a one-legged man in a bum-kicking competition.”
Dave Cowell, a punter from Reading, said: “I bought a ticket on the door and nobody mentioned to me I couldn’t get to the paddock.
“I was here two weeks ago and could go to whichever part of the track I wanted. Now they want me to pay more just so I can look at the horses before I have a bet.”
Another bookie, who pays £20,000 for his pitches at the track, added: “I am certain a lot of these tracks would rather they were still racing behind closed doors.
“We might as well not be here. I hope they see the crowd and have a change of heart.”
Track chiefs listened to the criticism and by the end of racing on Monday they had decided to revert back to a single enclosure across the course for the rest of the year.
Windsor director Liam Johnson said: "We have listened to the feedback from customers regarding the plans for adapting the layout of the enclosures at the racecourse.
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"As such, from our next fixture on Monday 16 May, and for the rest of the season, I can confirm that racegoers in the Trackside Enclosure will have full access to the lawn adjacent to the Jubilee Enclosure, which will offer views of the pre parade ring, paddock and winner’s enclosure."
He added: "Any racegoers who booked tickets for yesterday's race meeting in the Trackside Enclosure will be offered a complimentary ticket to return to a meeting of their choice."
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