Transforming Towcester Racecourse into aModern Event Destination

Towcester Racecourse has been transformed from a near – condemned venue into the home of UK greyhound racing and a versatile destination for sport, hospitality and events. In just four weeks, we brought it back to life. Now home to the Greyhound Derby, it delivers live racing, private functions and public gatherings, all supported by a modern AV infrastructure.

Client Requirements

Bringing a Historic Venue Back to Life With Modern AV Equipment

When Towcester Racecourse approached AVolution, the site was no longer operational. Once a respected venue, it had fallen into disrepair and was standing on the edge of being lost entirely. At the same time, plans were already in motion to bring it back as the home of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom-starting with hosting the English Greyhound Derby, the sport’s most high-profile event.

The ambition was clear and urgent. The venue needed to reopen fast. But it also needed to evolve. Beyond racing, the goal was to create a flexible destination that could support hospitality, dining, conferences, live broadcasts, and public events throughout the year. What began as a restoration quickly became a complete reimagining of how the space should function- commercially, operationally, and experientially.

The challenge was not just technical. It was about time, scale, and usability. The entire site required a full infrastructure reset within just four weeks. Systems needed to be powerful but simple to operate. Flexible but reliable under pressure. Capable of supporting live racing one moment, and a private event the next- without complex setup or specialist intervention.

Rather than treating these constraints as limitations, we approached them as a framework for smart design. Working closely with the client and on-site teams, we reshaped Towcester into a connected, adaptable environment—where video, sound, and control work together seamlessly, and where the entire venue can shift its purpose at the touch of a button.

Our Solution

Rebuilding a Legacy Venue for Modern Racing and Events.

We delivered a complete technical transformation, turning Towcester Racecourse into a fully integrated, network-driven environment that is simple to operate and built for fast changeovers between racing, hospitality, conferences, and live events.

A centralised QSC system gives staff one familiar interface across all touch panels and mobile devices to control the entire venue. Preset modes have been designed to instantly set up and change video layouts, background music, microphone levels and digital signage across the entire estate, as well as having the ability to control Sky TV and page any zone at the push of a button. NDI technology by Vizrt distributes and switches video across all screens in real time, while Dante digital audio ensures consistent, zoned sound throughout the site.

The system is designed for ease of use, removing the need for specialist operators. Control is available via panels, tablets, and mobile devices, allowing the venue team to run complex operations with confidence, while maximising the re-use of existing equipment to reduce cost and minimise environmental impact.

TOWCESTER

Built for Events. Designed for Performance.

This transformation is bringing Towcester Racecourse back to life and pushing it far beyond its original purpose. From live racing to hospitality and large-scale events, the venue is now operating as a flexible, revenue-generating destination with a fully connected digital backbone.

Operational Simplicity: A centralised control system allows staff to manage the entire venue with ease, switching between event modes instantly without technical expertise.

Multi-Purpose Flexibility: The space is transitioning seamlessly between race nights, conferences, private functions, live broadcasts, and public events – all without manual reconfiguration.

Live Broadcast Ready: Integrated infrastructure supports live streaming and external production, turning the venue into a real-time content platform.

Enhanced Guest Experience: High-quality audio, real-time video, and digital signage create a more engaging, immersive experience across every area of the venue.

Revenue-Driven Design: Digital displays and flexible spaces unlock new commercial opportunities through events, sponsorships, and year-round bookings.