"WE ARE a community racecourse and will remain that way" – this is the pledge from the new executive director of Lingfield Park, Andrew Perkins.
Fears that the Arena Leisure-owned racecourse could become "another Folkestone", which was closed last year with the possibility of 800 houses being built to fund a refurbishment, were quashed by Mr Perkins on Monday.
The Racecourse Road venue has recently spent more than £2 million on an all-weather track.
Mr Perkins said: "The simple answer is no, we have no plans to sell any part of the racecourse and that kind of investment would not be made if this was in the pipeline at all.
"We are considered to be the flagship racecourse for Arena Leisure and long may this continue."
He added that he would maintain and grow the racecourse's relationship with Lingfield villagers.
He said: "It would be too easy for us to be considered on our own, but we want to be a huge part of the community.
"We will continue to work with and for the community of Lingfield."
Originally from Birmingham, Mr Perkins, 35, returned to the UK after three years working at the Rome Park Marriott, in Italy. Although he has never worked within the horse racing circuit, he has pledged to "learn quickly and accurately".
He said: "I was looking for a move and when I saw this job come up, it intrigued me.
"My background is in hotels and hospitality, but this would also teach me about horse racing."
Mr Perkins joined the venue in October. He said: "In the three months I have been here I have realised what an amazing sport horse racing is.
"The excitement and thrill on the race days is remarkable."
He added that he wants the racecourse to be seen as a "resort", because it has a hotel, spa, gym and golf course on site, and said: "We want to encompass it all and it is a huge selling point."
The racecourse will hold 104 race days this year.
Mr Perkins said that he had learned a lot within the first few months.
He added: "Because we have so many, I have learnt so quickly what racing involves and the team here know so much in their own roles that we have a lot of expertise in one venue."
He believes Lingfield Park is one of the busiest racecourses in Europe.
He said: "We do not consider ourselves to be in competition with any other racecourse because we are unique and every other racecourse has different things to offer.
"I feel very proud to work here and I hope we will continue to be part of the community."
