ARE.L Regulatory News (ARE)

9 Jul 2007 07:01

Arena Leisure PLC09 July 2007 Arena Leisure Plc ('Arena') Update on Southwell and Worcester Racecourses Arena Leisure has completed an initial assessment of the damage caused by therecent flooding at Southwell and Worcester Racecourses following the storms of afew weeks ago. The flood waters have receded at Worcester Racecourse and, assuming there is nomore adverse weather, management is hopeful that the racecourse will recommenceoperations with an evening fixture on 18 July 2007. At Southwell Racecourse the flood waters have also receded and a detailedassessment is underway to ascertain the full extent of the damage to both theall-weather racetrack and the Racecourse buildings. At this stage theRacecourse remains closed. During this period Southwell's all-weather fixtures will be transferred toArena's two other all-weather tracks at Wolverhampton and Lingfield Park. Ian Renton, Arena's Racing Director commented: "There is sufficient sparecapacity at both tracks so no fixtures will be lost." Although the turf course at Southwell Racecourse will soon be fit for racing,the flood damage to the Racecourse buildings necessitates a transfer ofSouthwell's scheduled turf National Hunt fixtures in July and August toWorcester Racecourse. The damage assessment at Southwell Racecourse is being conducted in conjunctionwith Arena's insurers and will cover both the physical repairs necessary torestore the fabric of the Racecourse and the level of payments to cover businessinterruption. Further updates will be provided as and when available. - Ends - For further information please contact: Arena Leisure Plc: 020 7495 2277 Ian Renton, Racing DirectorMark Elliott, Chief Executivecontact@arenaleisureplc.com Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial: 020 7861 3232 David Rydell / Olly Scott This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange