RACEGOERS will be able to relax in luxury at York Racecourse as they prepare for the season's opening meeting on Wednesday.

The Premier Racing Lounge will open its doors to150 racing enthusiasts at the Dante Festival this week following a seven-figure, three month refurbishment.

Organisers say racegoers can benefit from a reserved seat in a first class location, a bar serving premium drinks and dedicated betting facilities from both Totepool and William Hill.

The project has seen the transformation of a space that was previously a back of house area behind a bank of tote windows.

A spokesman for the racecourse said the new lounge was near the Parade Ring and will boast table service for a range of premium drinks including local artisan gins such as Slingsby or Brittains.

A courier service will allow punters to place bets from a seat reserved in advance.

The spokesman said: “The decision was taken to devote the maximum space to racegoer use, so it does not include a kitchen.

“There will however be the option to enjoy a range of Proper Platters as well as premium treats from behind the bar. The Gimcrack Restaurant, Princess Mary Seafood BT, as well as the John Carr Griddle are all easily reached for guests looking for something a little more substantial, safe in the knowledge that their seat is reserved in the Premier Racing Lounge.”

The lounge also includes three 86 inch HD screens, alongside multiple conventional sized televisions, which will showcase the racing from York as well as from other racecourses and sports. Yorkshire will be hosting an Ashes Test Match and the World UCI Cycling Championships in 2019.

A spokesman for the racecourse added: “It has been a great team effort to complete this project in just one winter, we think the new lounge looks fabulous and we can’t wait to see the reaction from its first guests.”

Racegoers are able to book their seats and Proper Platters from the York Racecourse website, yorkracecourse.co.uk.