Racing in dog house as Drumbo Park closes

44 jobs gone after track shuts

DRUMBO Park greyhound stadium closed yesterday with immediate effect.

The Co Down complex employed 44 full-time and part-time members of staff.

In a statement, Drumbo Park directors blamed a “number of factors” including Northern Ireland’s licensing laws and a lack of government funding for the 10-year-old business going under.

They added: “This has included a shortage of greyhounds to provide a full race programme, the impact of online gaming on live racing and Northern Ireland’s restrictive licensing laws preventing the sale of alcohol at the track on a Sunday.

“In addition, unlike the greyhound racetracks in the Republic, Drumbo Park received no government funding.

“The directors would like to thank the staff, customers and dog owners for their support over the past decade.”

Local Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn expressed disappointment at the closure. He described it as a “wake-up call” to those opposed to liberalising of licensing laws.

Mr Lunn said: “It is a long-overdue step forward Northern Ireland needs to take and in light of this development, it should be a wake-up call for those opposed to reform.

“It is especially disappointing given a Bill leading to changes in the law was moving through the Assembly before the collapse of devolution.”

FINISH LINE Drumbo Park in Co Down OUT OF THE RUNNING Bosses blame licensing laws RUFF TIME Track closed after decade IMPACTS Entrance