Southwell Racecourse
Restoring a landmark hospitality destination following the devastating 2023 floods.

We were so impressed with the transformation at Southwell Racecourse that we've since rolled elements of the design out across other venues within our estate. Hayley and her team have become a trusted design partner and are now delivering another racecourse refurbishment for Arena Racing Company."

Dan Walley - Group Property Manager, Arena Racing Company

THE DESIGN

The designer for Southwell Racecourse was Hayley Roy

Read what Hayley had to say about working on this project:

"Working with the team at Arena Racing Company has been an absolute pleasure. Their passion for creating exceptional guest experiences made this a truly collaborative project, and seeing Southwell Racecourse come back to life after such a challenging period was incredibly rewarding. It's a project I'll always be proud to have been part of."

Hayley Roy
Founder & Creative Director, Harp Design

THE NEWS

Introduction

Following the devastating floods of October 2023, Southwell Racecourse required a complete refurbishment of several key hospitality and operational spaces across the estate. Harp Design was appointed to deliver the interior design and technical coordination for a fast-track programme, ensuring the venue reopened in time for the prestigious Ladies Day event in August 2024.

Working to demanding timescales, we created elegant, durable interiors that balanced the racecourse's heritage with a contemporary hospitality experience.

The Brief

Following extensive flood damage caused by the River Greet bursting its banks, multiple buildings across the racecourse required complete refurbishment.

Our brief was to redesign and coordinate the refurbishment of the:

Hotel
Grandstand
Members' Lounge
VIP Hospitality Suites
Four Public Bars
Staff Accommodation
Circulation and Guest Areas

Every space needed to be delivered to an exceptional standard while remaining commercially robust and capable of withstanding the demands of a busy racing calendar.

Our Approach

Working alongside the wider consultant and delivery team, Harp Design developed coordinated interior design packages that combined practicality with high-quality hospitality design.

Material selections focused on durability, ease of maintenance and longevity, whilst creating welcoming environments that enhanced the visitor experience.

Careful planning and close collaboration enabled works to progress simultaneously across numerous buildings, helping the project achieve its ambitious completion programme without compromising quality.

Design Highlights

Fast-track refurbishment programme
Hotel guest room refurbishment
Contemporary bars and hospitality spaces
Premium Members' Lounge
VIP entertainment facilities
Durable commercial specifications
Bespoke joinery detailing
FF&E specification
Coordinated construction packages
Hospitality-led guest experience

"Southwell Racecourse was one of those projects that really demonstrated what collaboration can achieve. Delivering multiple hospitality environments within an incredibly challenging programme required commitment from everyone involved, and seeing the venue welcome guests back for Ladies Day made every deadline worthwhile."

Hayley RoyFounder | Harp Design

Project Details

Client
Arena Racing Company

Location
Southwell, Nottinghamshire

Sector
Hospitality • Leisure • Sport

Services

Interior Design
Interior Architecture
Space Planning
FF&E Specification
Joinery Design
Material Specification
Technical Drawing Packages
Construction Coordination

The Outcome

The refurbishment successfully restored Southwell Racecourse following one of the most significant flood events in its history.

Delivered in time for the 2024 racing season and Ladies Day, the project has revitalised the venue's hospitality offering, creating welcoming spaces for racegoers, corporate events and overnight guests while supporting the racecourse's long-term commercial success.

Results

✔ Multiple hospitality venues refurbished

✔ Hotel and guest accommodation upgraded

✔ VIP and Members' facilities transformed

✔ Completed for Ladies Day 2024

✔ Enhanced guest experience

✔ Commercially durable design solutions

Planning a hospitality refurbishment?

Whether you're refurbishing a hotel, racecourse, members' club or leisure venue, Harp Design creates thoughtful commercial interiors that combine operational performance with memorable guest experiences.

Let's discuss your next project.