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An IKEA? A Block of flats? A multi-storey carpark?
Can’t happen? Think again my friends. It’s the inevitable consequence of hiking up margins and hoping that off-course bookies will pick up the slack when you run races in front of deserted stands at times to suit them.
Walthamstow’s closure announced today. How many of the unlucky thirteen former London dog tracks are left you ask? Just the one.
http://betting.betfair.com/greyhound-ra … st-tracks/
PRESS STATEMENT
Agreed Sale of Company’s Land 16 May 2008
The directors of Walthamstow Stadium Limited have agreed to the sale of the Company’s freehold property at Walthamstow Stadium to a development consortium led by Yoo Capital, London, and Quadrant Housing Association and K W Linfoot plc. Formal contracts have been exchanged and completion is expected on or before 1st September 2008. Racing will continue until the middle of August 2008.
Since the abolition of General Betting Duty in 2001, with the consequent loss of the unique advantage of tax-free betting only on-course, greyhound punters have been able to bet tax-free off-course, and with betting offices and exchanges open throughout the evening to accommodate them, attendances and betting turnover on-course have declined dramatically. Walthamstow’s totalisator turnover alone has fallen by some 35% during the period.
With all of the principle income streams in sharp decline, and general running costs rising relentlessly, the company’s operations have become unsustainable.
Staff and trainers have been notified and now enter a consultation period. It is hoped that all will find alternative positions after operations cease. From an animal welfare point of view, it is anticipated that most of the greyhounds currently racing at the Stadium will be accommodated at other racecourses. If, however, certain owners choose to retire their greyhounds, every effort will be made to support them in finding suitable homes.
It’s a sad day indeed ~ scant consolation that the last night party at Charlie Chan’s will be so good.
I was hoping my local racecourse may look like one by 2020. Although it will probably need to change hands one way or another before we get to that stage, & go forward.
Walthamstow closing is a sad and historical day. You can’t help but feel they also considered it best to sell pre 2012 olympics, which will only be just up the road. No Charlie Chans, no iconic neon sign on the north circular.
I’m sure Glenn will be dismayed to hear that the likely beneficiary of the closure is going to be Romford Greyhound Stadium, a few miles further east of London (which ironically is owned by Corals).
At least we’ve been given notice with Walthamstow. I shall make a last pilgrimage there. Catford’s closure in 2003 was immediate. No chance for us locals to say goodbye to the old place, even if it was a bit of a dump.
Its swift closure looks particularly ironic in hindsight, as nothing has happened to the site since the stands and the big Tote indicator building were demolished.
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