Winter Wonderland will not be making a comeback to Chester Racecourse this Christmas.

Those hoping to indulge in some festive frivolity in the city will have one less event to choose from, as Chester Race Company has scrapped a 2015 return due to ‘clearly insufficient demand’.

The second outing of the festive fantasy land in 2014 failed to sprinkle its magic on the company’s accounts, leaving it £400,000 out of pocket.

In his chairman’s statement, Martin Beaumont admitted its poor performance – attracting less than half the visitors it did in 2013 – was surprising.

The lights are switched on at the Racecourse by Beth Tweddle MBE, Santa Claus and Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Jill Houlbrook
Beth Tweddle MBE, Santa Claus and Lord Mayor of Chester Jill Houlbrook switch the lights on at Chester Racecourse in 2013

Enormous amount of work

He said: “This was its second year at Chester Racecourse and, against all our expectations, attendance was less than half that achieved in 2013 resulting in a loss for this event of £0.4m.

“This was despite an enormous amount of planning and work to ensure we delivered a first class event for the families of Chester and the North West.

Related: Ellesmere Port mum is full of praise for Chester's Winter Wonderland

“We have concluded that there is clearly insufficient demand for this type of event in Chester on an annual basis and therefore we will not continue with it.”

A spokesperson for Chester Racecourse confirmed to the Chronicle that Winter Wonderland will not return this year but hinted that new ventures were afoot for 2016.

“After a successful 2015 race season, the company will be using the break in racing at Chester to work on new and exciting offerings for 2016,” they said.

Other festive events

We reported the £400,000 loss earlier this week and were inundated with readers’ opinions, which proved to be a mixed bag.

Marketing Cheshire – which works to market the county to investors, visitors, students and residents – say there will be plenty of other opportunities for festive fun in the city this Christmas.

Chief executive Katrina Michel said: “We are sorry that Winter Wonderland is not returning, but there are a number of other great Christmas activities in the city organised by CH1BID, Chester Cathedral and Marketing Cheshire, offering a wide range of festive experiences for visitors this year.

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“Chester Racecourse continues to be an important venue for Christmas parties and corporate entertainment, all of which fills hotel rooms and brings business into the city, and Cheshire Oaks and Chester Zoo also have excellent complementary Christmas activities, adding to an exciting programme of Christmas events in Chester.”

Will you miss Chester Winter Wonderland this Christmas? Let us know in the comments box below: