The local authority had taken over ownership of the course in 1904, and for most of the twentieth century the racecourse benefited local people, not only by providing entertainment but also because its profits helped to keep their rates down. Since 2001 they have been the minority shareholder in a new company set up to run the course. The racecourse was owned by a private company, Northern Racing, which was the majority shareholder. During that time they were able to finance improvements that the Council could not, including the construction of an additional grandstand. The course merged in 2012 with Arena Racing Company .