Jockey Club Venues, which consists of 15 racecourses including Aintree, Cheltenham and Epsom Downs, said the growth forms part of an increased level of group business performance in terms of conferences, live music and other non-racing events.
The £2.5m rise in non-raceday revenues last year, up from £19.7m in 2011, accounted for 15% of The Jockey Club’s overall turnover. It has also helped to drive a 3% growth in operating profits of £19.8m, up from £19.2m reported two years ago.
The business said a £155m investment in new facilities throughout the last ten years "continues to pay dividends".
Susie Bradshaw, conference and events manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: "It’s very important that we see development in our non-raceday business. We have great facilities at all our racecourses, so making the most of these for conferences and events is crucial."
The company highlighted its catering partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland, Jockey Club Catering, has experienced healthy growth with a year-on-year increase in turnover of around 6%.
In addition, the lift in non-raceday business represents almost 20% of all Jockey Club Catering's food and beverage sales.
More than £5m has been invested to improve catering facilities at venues as part of the joint venture. Recent upgrades have been made at Epsom Downs; the Sprint Cup bar renovation at Haydock Park; the Kauto Star bar project at Kempton Park; and the Equus restaurant renovation at Sandown Park Racecourse.
"It’s great to see that investment and hard work has had a knock-on effect on our turnover, and we hope to see that continue throughout 2013," Bradshaw added.
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