Report Verifies Newmarket’s Status on World Stage

Racing industry is a national sporting asset that will benefit all

The Newmarket Horsemen’s Group has welcomed a new report commissioned by Forest Heath District Council (FHDC) that has established the important role Newmarket’s Horseracing Industry plays, not only in terms of its economic impact in the region, but also from a national and international perspective.

The independent report, produced by Deloitte, concludes that Newmarket is recognised around the world as a centre of excellence for racing, breeding and a number of associated industries and that this status should be protected and developed to bring further benefits to the region.

Two years ago, Forest Heath District Council, together with the Newmarket Horsemen’s Group, commissioned a study into the economic impact of the industry to the local area. SQW’s report found that the industry directly and indirectly employed over 8,500 people within a 25 mile radius and contributed £208m to the local economy.

The new study by Deloitte builds on that evidence looking at what Newmarket’s horseracing industry means to the UK in terms of its national and international scale of importance.

Cllr James Waters, leader of Forest Heath District Council said: “What needs to be understood is that this isn’t just about how important horseracing is to Newmarket. We are leading on this for the benefit not just of a major industry of international importance but for benefit of residents and businesses as a whole.

“The findings of this report will be used as evidence to seek the recognition and with it the levels of Government and EU funding that Newmarket deserves. That in turn, we hope, will lead to the major infrastructure improvements that will benefit the people of Newmarket and the surrounding area.”

The report highlights that:

• Newmarket’s Racing Industry is a national sporting asset and deserves national recognition and support. It compares the importance of Newmarket with national and international racing operations and describes the planning protection and funding afforded to other national sporting facilities such as Silverstone.

• That the horse racing industry in Newmarket is thriving and will continue to grow.

• That it is also important for the conditions to exist for other industries to develop and thrive.

• There are opportunities to further promote and protect the horse racing industry, a number of which relate to land-use and planning.

• There are existing strong planning policies in place in Newmarket, which highlight the importance of the horseracing industry to the town, seek to safeguard horseracing interests and identify criteria against which development proposals relating to the horseracing industry are to be assessed.

• There has been recent conflict between the horseracing industry and other parties in Newmarket over the need for growth.

• The District Council could consider options for further planning protection for the town and horseracing facilities, potentially as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Further options may give FHDC and SCC leverage to seek EU, Government and other funding (such as via the National Lottery) for infrastructure improvements that will contribute to the general economic future and sustainability of Newmarket for racing and wider industries.

• Work is already underway as part of the Prince’s Foundation Report vision statement for a need to balance the present and future requirements of the horseracing industry with the requirement for a diverse and sustainable local economy.

• A need for balanced, sustainable growth to complement the present and future success of the town as it is rewarded and recognised for its position in the sporting credentials of Britain.

Following publication of the report, Forest Heath District Council have identified the following as items where infrastructure improvements could be made:

Benefiting the wider area:

• Improved public transport including reinstatement of old Victorian railway station in Newmarket and the second line to Cambridge allowing for the provision of additional services to and from London – all of which will benefit Newmarket and the surrounding area.

• A new diversion route for the A14, improvements to the A14/A11 junctions (junction 38 and 37 Norwich A11 east onto the A14) allowing a direct route between West Suffolk to Norwich and the other way to Felixstowe and Harwich (but diverting traffic away from Newmarket and Forest Heath villages)' and improvements to the A142/A14 junction (junction 37).

Local improvements:

• Improvements to the internal road and horse walks network,

• The opportunity for FHDC and partners to work more closely with the horseracing industry with the aim of securing more employment for local people.

Cllr Waters added: “The report also recognises the need for balanced growth – growth to support both the growing horseracing industry in Newmarket, alongside other people and businesses. It is our vision that this major industry in Newmarket should continue to flourish and our hope that we can move away from expensive planning enquiries to achieve a sensible way forward that will support the growth of the horseracing industry in Newmarket, while also acknowledging that there are other housing and employment needs in the town.”

William Gittus, Chairman of the Newmarket Horsemen’s Group and Managing Director of Jockey Club Estates, said: "We are grateful to Forest Heath District Council for having the foresight to commission Deloitte to produce this important report. We welcome the report’s findings which confirm Newmarket's status as one of international importance on account of its horseracing heritage and the scale its racing industry today.

"Alongside the Newmarket Horsemen’s Group’s commitment to protect and nurture the racing industry in Newmarket, it is our wish to see a thriving, attractive town with diverse interests and industries existing alongside racing.

"What is really encouraging about the report's findings is the recognition that the racing industry in Newmarket has the scope and potential to grow further, and, as an asset of national importance, can help the district leverage external investment for major infrastructure improvements that will benefit everyone. The racing and breeding industry is already Newmarket's biggest asset in terms of its £200 million plus per annum economic contribution to the region, as an employer and as a driver for tourism. Working with FHDC we would like to build on this further for the benefit of Newmarket, all of its residents, and the racing industry."

Gittus added: “An indication of the health of Newmarket’s horseracing industry is that since Deloitte finished the report, in the year to date there have been 50,000 more visitors to Newmarket Racecourses than in 2014, horses using the Newmarket Training Grounds are up over 4% and Tattersalls are expecting more horses to go through the ring this autumn than last year.

Graham Abbey, chairman of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce said: “Horseracing makes Newmarket a unique place to live and work. But of course it also brings challenges for all of us. The Chamber of Commerce is absolutely ready to sit down together with all parties and work through these challenges, so that everyone benefits, and all of our businesses can grow and thrive.”

MP Matthew Hancock said: "This powerful report shows just how important racing is to Newmarket, for local jobs and growth, and how important Newmarket is to racing, as the home to more than a third of the UK's horses in training.

“It's a tribute to the town that racing in Newmarket has grown even while shrinking elsewhere. If you ever needed proof that Newmarket was unique, here it is.

“The report paints an exciting picture of how Newmarket and racing can grow and prosper. And it compounds the case for that growth to support racing, not put it at risk.

“I look forward to working with the whole town to develop Newmarket's potential, in a way that supports the main industry."

Cllr James Finch, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We welcome this report that confirms the importance of Suffolk’s horse racing industry in the Newmarket area. It is a national sporting asset of international standing. As Chairman of the Newmarket Vision Transport Group, I can confirm we are working with key stakeholders; including the horse racing industry to develop and deliver infrastructure improvements throughout the town to respond to the future needs of the horse racing industry.”

To view and download the report in full click here: