ONE of York’s biggest pubs is set to close early and a nightclub has postponed its reopening, to try to minimise race-day trouble later this month.

Violence flared in York city centre during last year’s Ebor Festival with a number of fights involving weapons and 60 arrests in the city on the Friday and Saturday night, including one man trying to get into the Gallery nightclub in Clifford Street with a meat cleaver and wearing surgical gloves.

Police say they will have more officers on duty during this year’s meeting than in previous years, and have also worked with the Racecourse and local licensees to pre-empt potential trouble.

The four-day Ebor Festival runs from August 22 to 25, running into the Bank Holiday weekend.

Staff at the Postern Gate JD Wetherspoon’s pub in Piccadilly plan to call last orders during the final race on the Friday and Saturday and Kuda bar and club, formerly The Gallery, has agreed to postpone their reopening to the following weekend.

A police spokeswoman said there would be extra patrols during the Ebor Festival and in the city centre in the evenings and at night.

She said: “The force will also be implementing a robust plan in partnership with York Racecourse to minimise the disturbance to residents as race-goers travel from the Knavesmire into the city. As usual, we encourage people to have a good time, but know their limits and not drink to excess. This is for their own safety as well as that of other members of the public.”

Eddie Gershon, spokesman for JD Wetherspoon, said police had recommended, but not requested, that the pub closed on certain days.

He said plans were being finalised, but said: “At it stands, we will be using plastic tumblers instead of glasses on August 24 and 25 and we are likely to call time on or around the last race.”

Dave Harrison, general manager of Kuda, confirmed he had agreed to delay its reopening following a £1 million refurbishment until the weekend after the Ebor meeting “as a goodwill gesture”, following discussions with police and problems that had arisen on previous racedays.

James Brennan, head of marketing at York Racecourse, said: “The Ebor is a hugely positive event for us and for both the profile and economic benefit it brings the city. It is a marvellous four-day festival of racing.

“The world’s best racehorse, Frankel, is running this year and we have record prize money. We want people to enjoy the event and our plans are geared to create that positive atmosphere.”

He said the midweek days gave a unique atmosphere, including more focus on fashion.

Mr Brennan said course officials worked closely with police and local representatives, always looked to improve the event and were proud of the high standard and training of the 200 plus stewards.

He said the racecourse “takes its duties seriously and while recognising that it is a social occasion, always encourages people to be responsible”, including through plastic glasses.

He added: “There are challenges that society faces that can be seen on most Saturday nights and if something happens in the city centre eight hours after they have left the racecourse I don’t think reasonable people would lay that at our door.”

He said meetings were held with police ahead of all race days and said there had been only two arrests at the course from more than 200,000 racegoers.