Chester Race Company to Offer Free Frozen Meals for Emergency Front-Line Workers From Wednesday

See updated statement from Richard Thomas, Chief Executive, Chester Race Company:

It is with great regret that I announce that we have been forced to suspend food production in respect of the NHS and emergency workers free meal service, due to launch tomorrow.

A member of the production team has displayed some symptoms of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and as a precautionary measure, we have been forced to place the entire cooking operation into isolation for 14 days. This includes members of our front of house team who were due to distribute meals to workers on arrival to the racecourse.

We are truly sorry to have to announce that the racecourse site will go into full lock down from today to protect members of our workforce and members of the public visiting site – this includes those that were due to visit us tomorrow to collect a free meal under the new scheme.

We will be looking at other ways in which we can help in the near future.

The funds raised to date via our Just Giving page, set up to support this initiative, will now go direct to The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. 

My deepest gratitude goes out all those dealing directly with the on-going crisis.

Yours in appreciation,

Richard Thomas

From Wednesday 25 March, Chester Race Company’s Chef Brigade and kitchen facilities will be offering support to the frontline workers dealing directly with the COVID-19 crisis, by way of offering NHS workers and emergency services staff a free ready-cooked frozen meal.

Available for collection from Chester Racecourse, on production of their NHS or emergency services ID, staff can collect a free freshly prepared frozen meal, ready to take home and pop in the oven or microwave.

Staff will be directed to the collection point on arrival at the racecourse, where a variety of meals will be available in portions of 1,2 and 4. Workers can choose from a menu including Lasagne, Shepherd’s pie, Thai vegetable curry, fish pie and Mediterranean pesto chicken. The collection point will be open between the hours of 9am – 9pm.

Chief Executive of Chester Race Company, Richard Thomas, said:

“From Wednesday we will be offering NHS workers and emergency services staff a complimentary meal collection service from the racecourse. This is our opportunity to give something back to those on the front line doing a fantastic job to support individuals impacted by the developing COVID-19 crisis.”

 A Just Giving page has been set up to raise funds towards the ongoing production of meals. If you would like to donate to support  this worthy cause, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ChesterRacecourseSupports

Chris Matheson, MP for Chester, said: “Once again this is Chester Racecourse at the heart of the city’s community. The races will be badly affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, but that isn’t stopping the Race Company from getting stuck in to help and I am really grateful to them.”

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