ORGANISERS of the Grand National meeting at Aintree say they are expecting the highest visitor numbers in the event’s 161-year history for Capital of Culture year.
Attendance figures have been steadily rising with an estimated 150,000 people attending the three-day event last year. However, all the signs are that this will be surpassed in 2008.
Bookings from all over the world have already been taken for April’s meeting, with visitors combining the racing at Aintree Racecourse with an opportunity to discover the city during Capital of Culture year.
A total of £35m has been invested in Aintree over the past few years to increase its capacity, including the introduction of two new permanent grandstands, an international equestrian centre, a new weighing room and winner’s enclosure.
This year sees the opening of a new VIP lounge, the Platinum County Lounge in the County Stand.
This will also be the first Grand National for Aintree’s new managing director Julian Thick, who said: “So many people have grown up watching the John Smith’s Grand National on television, but only those who attend it can really experience the magic of one of the most exciting sporting events in the world.
“Nothing compares with the excitement and atmosphere of this race meeting and during Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture it is set to be bigger than ever.
“The event is not just one of the world’s sporting highlights, it is also a key date in the social calendar which really is not to be missed.
“In recent years, multi-million pound improvements at Aintree mean the racecourse has a huge capacity – so we’re looking forward to welcoming more people than ever.”
This year’s three-day event runs from Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5. It includes the traditional Ladies Day on Friday, with the Grand National itself running on the Saturday, with an estimated television audience of 600 million.
Martin King, director of tourism for The Mersey Partnership, said: “Liverpool city region is set to welcome tourists from all over the world in 2008 and a visit to the John Smith’s Grand National will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the year.”
RACING: PAGES 31-32
alanweston
