WALTHAM FOREST: World of racing “stunned” by stadium closure

10:09am Sunday 18th May 2008

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THE world of greyhound racing is said to be "stunned" this weekend after news broke that the historic Walthamstow Stadium is to close in August.

Director Charles Chandler said the decision was made to sell up due to declining visitor numbers coupled with increased costs.

The stadium has now been sold to a group of developers and looks set to host its final race in August.

John Coleman, who represents the track's trainers, told the Racing Post he was "stunned" by the news.

"We had no inkling. Everyone expected much longer notice were anything like this to happen - perhaps August next year. But it is this August" he said.

In the wake of the announcement, fears have been raised about the welfare of the stadium's animals, but a spokesman for The Chairman of the British Greyhound Racing Board (BGRB) said the group would be visiting the arena next week to discuss "how the welfare of the dogs will be safeguarded."

He added: "The BGRB Trainers Assistance Fund keeps a reserve to help in instances of track closure, although we hope that given this period of notice, many will find opportunities to continue training at other tracks."

BGRB Chairman, Lord David Lipsey, said it was "a great pity" that the stadium, on Chingford Road in Chingford, was closing.

"Everyone with an interest in greyhound racing will miss the unique sense of style with which Walthamstow Stadium has hosted greyhound racing" he said.

"Away from the very centre of London, its famous neon frontage has become one of the capital's most recognised landmarks.

However he added that the news, while sudden, was not entirely unexpected.

He said: "While no-one who follows events at Walthamstow will be hugely surprised by this very sad news, it is a great pity to lose one of the sport's flagship venues at a time when attendances at other stadia appear to be increasing."

"This demonstrates the difficulty of making a decent return from greyhound racing on city development sites - and therefore strengthens the need to improve greyhound racing's public appeal and economic success.

"I am pleased that the Chandler family have given supporters of the track time to be able to say their 'goodbyes' before locking the gates for the last time.

"My sympathies go out to the owners, trainers and kennel staff connected to the track, to all the staff, the track bookmakers and by no means least of all, the race goers who have helped make greyhound racing at Walthamstow the wonderful experience it is and always has been."

A development consortium led by Yoo Capital and K W L Linfoot plc are expected to complete the sale of the stadium on or before September 1.