We're ready for Gold Cup week
PUBS are poised and guest houses are getting set for starters orders as Prestbury becomes the focal point for one of the year's top sporting events.
More than 200,000 people are expected to converge upon the village and surrounding area for Cheltenham's Gold Cup week between March 16 and 19, pumping thousands of pounds into the local economy.
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cheers: Emily Dougan and James Bentley from The Plough Inn are ready for the races
Bed and breakfasts are fully booked and drinking houses have been wheeling in barrels of Guinness by the dozen to prepare for festivities. Staff at the Plough Inn, in Mill Street, said the week would provide a shot in the arm for Prestbury traders.
Landlady Stacy Lang said: "It will be our biggest week of the year without a doubt. Takings could be as much as five times above average.
"We've brought in 12 extra kegs of Guinness and crates of whiskey to cater for punters and have put marquees up in the garden to increase our capacity. Throughout the week we'll serve breakfast in the morning and put on live music at night.
"It will be a busy time for staff but hopefully a very profitable one. And there should be a great atmosphere."
Staff at the Royal Oak, in the Burgage, have put up a marquee in the back garden and ordered seafood delicacies such as scallops and Dover sole to cater for hungry racegoers.
Pub landlord Simon Daws said: "It's Prestbury's annual week in the limelight and we're looking forward to welcoming people from all over the UK and beyond. We're expecting to be packed out each night."
Bed and breakfasts in the village are already full to bursting. Many residents have cleared out their spare rooms for the week to rent them out to race-goers.
Joanne McAlary, who runs Craven House B&B in Prestbury High Street, said: "You'll be lucky to find a room in the village which hasn't been booked by now.
"We're full up as we get the same people coming back every year. They like staying in the village as they can walk to the racecourse and back from here."
Parish council chairman Malcolm Stennett said residents were accustomed to being at the epicentre of the event would be prepared for any disruption it might bring.
"The National Hunt festival can bring some inconvenience in terms of traffic congestion but by and large we are all used to it by now. Most people welcome the excitement and buzz that comes with it all and certainly businesses in the area stand to make huge profits."
16 Comments
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by Mary S, C
Monday, March 08 2010, 9:58AM
“yobs not jobs, but it's all the same ;)”
by Mary s, Chelts
Monday, March 08 2010, 9:58AM
“I wouldn't mind the races much if the drunken jobs didn't insist on making such a disturbance in residential areas at any time between 1-5am - some of us live here! A bit of consideration for us locals wouldn't go amiss.”
by C, Cheltenham
Sunday, March 07 2010, 8:39PM
“Easymoney:
I don't know if you are aware, but any events, including racing / football etc that require Policing are actually charged themselves for their events to be Policed.
Therefore, us local tax payers do not pay for this!, but the knock on effects, eg in town etc, does come from our Council Taxes.”
by DG, Cheltenham
Sunday, March 07 2010, 1:26PM
“DG I don't know if you've noticed, but most of those chains employ people who live locally - its much easier for everyone that way.
Adam, Cheltenham
For 4 days at minimum rates-big deal!
Don't forget the racecourse caterers-and probably other companies- often bring in staff from miles away, will you?”
by Easy money, Cheltenham
Sunday, March 07 2010, 9:32AM
“Oh great!! Lots of men in town for once!!
As usual masses of drunken outsiders at 10am, who when drunk can be rude and walk into well mannered shoppers.
Also means pickpocketers will be in their masses too that week. Watch your pockets. As usual Cheltenham Tax Payers money paying the Police bill.
God help those using the D bus that week.
I can't complain as the 8 horses I bet on last year all won.”
by Chris - Volunteer, Over, Gloucester
Sunday, March 07 2010, 12:50AM
“Just to let everyone aware, The Wharf House, situated next to the River Severn and on the begining of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal at Over, Gloucester, are now opening their 7 room hotel above their well known and well recommended established restaurant, on the 10th March 2010, in time for the race week.
This has been built by volunteers, like myself, and all profits from the restaurant and the hotel goes to The Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust for the restoration and preservation of the canal.”
by Cheerio, Happily not Cheltenhamshire!
Saturday, March 06 2010, 10:39PM
“Move the racecourse to Gloucester, Cheltenhambacon is on skid row, won't be long before it is sold off on e-bay!”
by RizlaDog, Lizzie Way
Saturday, March 06 2010, 10:31PM
“For rent.One week only.Room,nothin else,just room.Willing to let to some mug who will pay over the odds,even if it means sleeping on a floor.Bring your own food,alcohol,as that wont be provided,nor will soap or towels.Landlord still willing to guzzle your beer or spirits mind.Contact........”
by Ikey Solomon, Gravel Lane, Houndsditch
Saturday, March 06 2010, 4:15PM
“My lads and I are ready, we can't wait. Bring on the race goers!”
by Adam, Cheltenham
Saturday, March 06 2010, 3:05PM
“DG I don't know if you've noticed, but most of those chains employ people who live locally - its much easier for everyone that way.”