Racegoers back new restaurant
A £600,000 restaurant for race-goers has finally been opened at Wolverhampton Racecourse. A £600,000 restaurant for race-goers has finally been opened at Wolverhampton Racecourse. The former Zongalero eaterie closed in February for a major refurbishment. Now called Horizons, it was opened by the mayor Councillor John Davis at a ceremony on Saturday. Sports and racing journalists joined TV and radio presenters for the event. Bosses say the 370-seater is now unrecognisable with its chrome, maple and walnut finishing. It features LCD screens, a modern dance floor, pre-dining lounge areas and air conditioning. Racecourse spokeswoman Sarah Thompson said: "There wasn't a free table; it was a really successful night. "Everybody came out with good comments about what a good job the team had done." Read the full story in the Express & Star.
The former Zongalero eaterie closed in February for a major refurbishment. Now called Horizons, it was opened by the mayor Councillor John Davis at a ceremony on Saturday.
Sports and racing journalists joined TV and radio presenters for the event. Bosses say the 370-seater is now unrecognisable with its chrome, maple and walnut finishing. It features LCD screens, a modern dance floor, pre-dining lounge areas and air conditioning.
Racecourse spokeswoman Sarah Thompson said: "There wasn't a free table; it was a really successful night.
"Everybody came out with good comments about what a good job the team had done."
The Zongalero was gutted under the guidance of architect Richard Taylor, managing director of Wolverhampton-based ACP Ltd, which was responsible for the original building design of Wolverhampton Racecourse and the nearby Molineux stadium.
The new restaurant is a separate project to the planned £23 million scheme which could transform the popular sports venue.
Bosses hope to create the country's first racecourse casino – a racino – at the site.
The grand plans, which are being discussed by Wolverhampton City Council, include a new leisure complex housing a swimming pool, as well as the expansion of the current hotel from 54 to 170 bedrooms, a new conference centre and an exhibition and banqueting suite.
The plans hinge on Dunstall Park winning the race to be the home of the city's new small casino, and owners Arena Leisure are expecting a decision from planners before the end of the year.
The plans, if approved, will also generate up to 280 additional jobs once fully operational.