Closure of region’s last greyhound stadium could unleash redevelopment of prime site
The South West’s last remaining greyhound stadium is to close this December after more than 73 years, with its owners blaming a post-pandemic fall-off in spectator numbers, spiralling costs and changes in the gambling market.
The Abbey Stadium on the outskirts of Swindon, which was also home to the Swindon Robins speedway team until five years ago, will stage its last scheduled meeting on 30 December.
However, its closure could trigger a new property development opportunity for its owners specialist property group Gaming International.
The Swindon-based firm, which has its roots in Bristol and once owned that city’s greyhound stadium, has a track record of redeveloping sports sites. It previously owned Poole Stadium – another greyhound racing and speedway venue – through its StadiaUK arm.
The Abbey Stadium, sitting alongside the A419 north of Swindon, has long been regarded as ripe for development due to its proximity to the town’s northern expansion housing estates.
Gaming International, under its previous name BS Group, sold Eastville Stadium in Bristol – once home to Bristol Rovers FC – for redevelopment, with a large section of the site now occupied by furniture giant IKEA.
Over the years it has also owned stadia in Oxford, Reading, Torquay and Milton Keynes along with the Milton Keynes Bowl outdoor concert venue.
In a statement, Gaming International said: “Since the pandemic, there are virtually no members of the public attending Abbey Stadium and the decline of greyhound racing as a spectator sport has accelerated to the point where its operation at the Abbey Stadium is no longer viable with a reliance on media rights revenues alone to cover the rapidly increasing cost of staging racing.
“During this period of declining revenues, costs have continued to rise significantly, and operators are bracing themselves for the increased costs of employment that will arrive in April.
“At a national level, greyhound racing faces big challenges including revenue decline, increasing costs, the increasing voice of animal welfare groups together with the changing gambling and leisure markets.”
Gaming International chairman Clarke Osborne added: “It is with profound sadness that we make this announcement today, sadness for our loyal family of colleagues and for our greyhound trainers, some of whom have been with us for over 30 years.
“We understand that while some will welcome this announcement, there are others for whom this decision creates uncertainty for their futures.
“Let me be clear – we are committed to a sustainable and phased closure of the site which provides continued financial support for our trainers, and colleagues, through to the end of operations next year. We will work together in the months to come, providing support during this difficult period of change.
“I am sure there will be much debate on the history and future of greyhound racing in the UK during the months to come and I will certainly participate. For us, the closure of racing at the Abbey Stadium in December will mark the end of 73 years of greyhound racing promotion for this company and over 40 years for me personally.
“All things end and no one is able to hold back the changes in technology and trends in leisure pursuits. We must all look forward and embrace the future with hope and enthusiasm.”
The stadium originally opened in 1949 as home to the Swindon Robins speedway team, with the first greyhound meeting taking place three years later.
Greyhound racing as a spectator sport reached its peak in 1946 when around 70m people attended the 77 licensed tracks. Today there are 19 active stadia. Much of their income over recent decades has come from televised racing screened in betting shops.
A new 3,000-capacity speedway stadium is being proposed on a greenfield site near to junction 16 of the M4 as a replacement home for the Swindon Robins.
