A racecourse is undergoing a facelift as it prepares to relaunch as a venue for corporate events.

Matt Hudson, events and venue manager at Brighton Racecourse, is planning to make the venue available to businesses and organisations throughout the year.

Like many racecourses in the UK, Brighton is under-used. Racing takes place on 20 days, leaving more than 340 days for other events.

The site draws in thousands of visitors on bank holidays when it is the venue for a market and other events during the year, including The Argus Motor Show and monthly farmers markets.

The course is run by Northern Racing, a division of property group St Modwen, which has plans for developing the West Pier and adjoining seafront. The group is headed by entrepreneur Sir Stanley Clarke.

Mr Hudson and general manager Phil Bell are over-

seeing a £4 million improvement programme, due for completion later this year.

He said: "The course can cater for up to 2,800 people at an event and has free parking for 2,000 cars.

"Until two years ago, it looked very tired and uninviting but that is all changing and we are making the most of the facilities to make them available for events when there is no racing. This is now a very attractive place for conferences and, with Brighton and Hove city centre just a couple of miles away, businesses are looking at the venue and the city as a package."

As leaseholder and a trustee of the course, Brighton city council takes a keen interest in the running of the venue and has been pleased with the plans for its all year round use.

It recognises the potential and has been happy with Northern Racing's involvement.

Mr Hudson said: "2000 was the first year of holding corporate events here and its success was minimal because it wasn't really marketed. That didn't happen until last year.

"Now we are beginning to build a reputation for the quality of the venue and the quality of our service but, because it is a racecourse, people don't link it with conferences and exhibitions, even though it is a perfect setting.

"The racecourse is a good venue for promotional events, sales, auctions and entertaining and the business it brings in can benefit the whole city.

"Delegates attending conferences and event organisers often stay in hotels and guest houses in the city as well as use taxis and visit shops."

With two exhibition halls and more than a dozen function rooms, plus ten acres of outdoor space, the racecourse is already being used regularly by the health authority and national businesses.

Two catering firms, Alexanders and Hardings, have facilities at the course and, as well as catering on race days, they are now in demand for company entertaining throughout the year. The course has a permanent staff of ten, augmented to more than 100 on race days and for special events.