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BBC News
13-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wolverhampton's new greyhound track set for late autumn opening
Work has started on a greyhound racing facility at Wolverhampton Racecourse, to sit alongside the site's horseracing new amenity at Dunstall Park, which will include a track and kennels, was given planning permission in kennels were under construction and set to be finished by mid-May, with work then beginning on the track, site owners confirmed fixtures currently held at Perry Barr Greyhound stadium would transfer over before the track opened in late autumn, with all staff offered jobs at the new site. The new track will sit inside the horseracing venue, with up to 25,000 spectators able to watch races from the main Evans, regional general manager at site owners Arena Racing Company (ARC), said he hoped basing it in an established venue would "promote the sport to new audiences"."Although we don't have a definitive opening date, it is our intention to be fully operational by late autumn where our present operation at Perry Barr Stadium in Birmingham will be moved," he which also operates the Perry Barr stadium, said it intended to "offer roles to all members of staff" ahead of the site's closure, although no final fixture date had been set."Delivering a seamless transition to our racing operation from Perry Barr to Dunstall Park is a number one priority," Mr Evans added. The new track is set to host "high-profile competitions" and classic events such as the St Leger and the Oaks, which have been run since the 1920s, operators facility will meet "stringent standards" set by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), they added."At the heart of this development is our commitment to greyhound welfare and homing, by working closely with our homing partners to ensure all greyhounds can enjoy a happy, healthy retirement when their racing careers end," Mr Evans said.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MP defends free racecourse tickets before speech
An MP accepted hundreds of pounds worth of free tickets from a racecourse days before championing it in a parliamentary debate on gambling. Ascot Racecourse gifted Windsor MP Jack Rankin three tickets in a hospitality box - worth £675 in total - on 19 October 2024. The Conservative MP went on to champion Ascot and Royal Windsor racecourses in a debate on the horseracing industry on 24 October, and warned against tighter gambling laws. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he was "proud" to represent the racecourses and accepting the gift was "entirely appropriate". "As an active, local and vocal member of parliament, it is my job to engage with, visit and represent our fantastic racecourses," said Mr Rankin, who also accepted two free tickets plus hospitality to Royal Windsor racecourse, worth £312, on 8 January. Rankin praised both venues in a debate on "government support for the horseracing industry" in parliament, five days after receiving the first gift. He said the economic importance of the annual Royal Ascot week "cannot be understated". He warned further affordability checks, which would require bookmakers to make sure customers could afford to place their bets, could mean "less money... invested in the sport" - something he said could be "catastrophic" for Windsor. "That is why I became an officer on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock, and why it is entirely appropriate to accept invitations to attend events at both local racecourses," he said. An Ascot Racecourse spokesperson said Mr Rankin's visit was "an opportunity for us to engage with him and explain the impact that the racecourse has on the local economy". A spokesperson for Arena Racing Company, which owns Royal Windsor, said they were "incredibly grateful" for Mr Rankin's support. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Ascot Racecourse Royal Windsor Racecourse Arena Racing Company
