Crayford greyhound track closing for good
The owners of a Crayford greyhound track look set to close the venue stating it’s no longer financially viable.
The site near Sainsbury’s and Crayford station opened in 1986 and Ladbrokes now intend to shut the doors after Christmas.
In many respects it’s a surprise it’s lasted this long. Others in London have long since closed including one in lower Charlton and Catford.
It’s also close to Crayford station with Southeastern rail services making it an appealing site for new housing.
And on that note, further plans have recently gone in for an approved for an adjacent housing development.
That’s set to see 559 homes and a redeveloped greyhound stadium could make for an easier walk to Crayford station.
In time Crayford could be a town with proper streets again if the massive Sainsbury’s beside the station was also redeveloped with a new supermarket on site.
There’s also the one-way system and retail park nearby that seem ripe for improvements beyond the traffic-clogged areas they now are.
Romford stadium lives on with events set to continue there – though for how much longer remains to be seen.
In a statement the track’s owners stated:
“We have been exploring various avenues to avoid this decision for some time, but ultimately, it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the site.
“The dwindling support for the venue has led to insufficient trainer interest to fulfil our schedules, fewer competitive race days, and, therefore, lower attendance which has sadly driven our decision to close.
“Ladbrokes have a long history in greyhound racing, helping to build and open the Crayford venue in 1986 so the decision has not been taken lightly.”
Good riddance! Animal abusers shouldn’t be welcome anywhere.
New housing in the area would be very much welcomed. Crayford is an area indeed of regeneration. A new bigger Sainsbury’s store would also be welcomed
Housing close to a station and retail sites like Sainsbury’s and the retail park are always popular with residents and commuters.
They can also be good for local businesses as provide additional footfall from residents of the new developments.
I am sorry the redevelopment of Woolwich Sainsburys and adjacent car park was not redeveloped with a bigger Sainsbury’s store and new homes above as talked about a few years ago.