The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Greyhound stadium shuts doors for ever
Fear that more leisure venues could face a similar fate due to pandemic
Greyhound racing in Peterborough has crossed the finish line for the final time after the family running the track pulled the plug after 75 years in the city.
The track in Fengate has been a popular destination for many - but The Perkins family, who run the venue, said it was no longer viable in a postCovid world.
It is now feared other leisure venues could be under threat as a result of the pandemic.
A spokesman for the track said: “After much careful thought and consideration, and after 75 years, the Perkins family have decided to cease trading as a greyhound racing stadium with immediate effect.
“We are an evening greyhound racing venue and rely heavily on income from customers attending the venue to eat, drink, and bet (on our Tote) to survive.
“Without the substantial number of visitors we have experienced in the run up to the current Coronavirus outbreak, and the prospect of this not being achieved in even the longer term as social distancing measures remain in place, the long- term viability of continuing to trade from the site as a greyhound racing stadium is unsustainable.”
They added the family were now looking at ‘other oportunities.’
John Bridge, chairman of
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce said: “Many businesses will be looking at revenue generation, and if they will have the opportunity to generate enough income to cover the overheads, given the numbers that will be able to attend.
“As with the Greyhound Stadium, a lot of businesses will not be able to cover those businesses, and they do not want to get into an impossible situation where they bleed themselves to death.
“It is very sad the Greyhound Stadium has closed - it has been a part of Peterborough for 75 odd years, and has been a significant leisure attraction.
“I know the decision will have caused the Perkins family a great deal of anguish.”
The Peterborough Greyhound Stadium first opened in April 1931, with the first winner reported as being ‘Dewdrop.’ Reg Perkins bought the track in 1945, and the Perkins family have run it ever since. Meetings were held three nights a week - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and along with race nights, there were a series of charity fundraisers that were held at the track every year. Mark Bird, managing director of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) said he was saddened to hear of the closure of the track which held many memories for fans. He said” “Our thoughts and best wishes are obviously with all those associated with the stadium at this incredibly difficult time. The ongoing situation with coronavirus is taking a significant toll on all sport, hospitality and leisure businesses which rely on spectators for their income.”