Ludlow Racecourse starts new season without power

The first day of the new racing season at Ludlow was being held without mains electricity today after the finishing touches to a £1 million refurbishment failed to be completed in time.

Bosses at Ludlow Racecourse have spent several months building the new Plymouth Stand and refurbishing facilities at the venue.

But while all the building work has been completed the electricity supply has still not been reconnected, meaning the first meet of the season this afternoon was being held with power provided by a three phase generator.

It was a blow for racecourse officials, who claimed to have paid electricity contractors Central Networks £35,000 for a new transformer in March, but it is hoped the issue will be sorted before the next meeting on October 21.

They have confirmed the Plymouth Stand would be in use for the first time this afternoon with about 120 people expected to make use of restaurant facilities.

Bob Davies, clerk of the course, said: "We still have no mains electricity so we will be using a three phase generator to power the whole course.

"The power supply is a big issue and we are hoping to have it sorted later this month. The new grandstand will be in use and we have something like 119 people booked in for the carvery."

The newly-built Plymouth Stand includes an annual members' bar, a day members' carvery restaurant and viewing balcony on the first floor, and a new photo-finish tower.

Today's meeting was the first of 10 at the venue for the National Hunt season.