THE Covid-19 vaccination centre at Chester Racecourse will close next month and relocate to Ellesmere Port.

The racecourse site will shut for good on June 19 with services moving to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall from June 21.

People who booked their first or second dose at Chester Racecourse will have their appointment automatically transferred and will receive an email or text confirming the new location.

People who are eligible for the vaccine can access an appointment at the relocated service in Ellesmere Port only by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or calling 119, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.

Sheena Cumiskey, CEO for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who have led operations at the racecourse, said: "CWP are very proud to play our part, and we would like to thank Chester Racecourse for accommodating the vaccination centre over the last few months, their help and support has been truly invaluable to help protect the communities we serve.

"In the last three months we are proud to have vaccinated over 55,000 people thanks to NHS staff and volunteers doing an incredible job to deliver the largest vaccination programme in health service history, and the positive feedback from local people for the running of the vaccination centre has been fantastic.

"The centre has utilised a network of over 650 volunteers who have filled over 6,000 shifts – including staff from the NHS, Cheshire and Merseyside Fire Service, St Johns Ambulance and Chester Racecourse.

"We look forward to being able to continue to offer this to our wider population, in line with the JCVI guidance."

Facilities and security manager of Chester Race Company, Neil Farmer, said: "We have been delighted to support the NHS in their roll out of the biggest and most successful vaccine roll out in NHS history and we’re proud to have played our part.

"I would like to say thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who helped us through this extremely difficult time.”

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, councillor Louise Gittins, said: “We’re really enthusiastic about the next phase of the vaccination programme in Cheshire and I would like to encourage everyone to book their Covid-19 vaccination appointment when they become eligible.”

People aged 32 and above who have not had their COVID-19 vaccination can book an appointment at Cheshire’s vaccination services via www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where they can choose a time slot and location that suits them.

People who are eligible, but without online access, can call 119 to book a jab free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.

People are also able to book appointments on behalf of people they care for if they are unable to do it themselves.