Greyhound stadium hit by the credit crunch
A NIGHT out at the dogs has become the latest victim of the credit crunch, as for the first time in over 20 years there will an end to racing four nights a week.
A NIGHT out at the dogs has become the latest victim of the credit crunch, as for the first time in over 20 years there will an end to racing four nights a week.Peterborough Greyhound Stadium in Fengate has seen meetings taking place on four nights a week for the more than two decades.
Currently there are meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with about 3,000 people going through the gates every week.
However, in January next year the regular racing on Tuesday nights will be put on hold as organisers tighten their belts during the credit crunch.
Operations Director Richard Perkins said the stadium had seen a 30 per cent rise in its electricity bill over the past year, while also seeing less money handed over at the turnstiles and counters on race nights.
He said: "We are trying to look ahead, and January is always the most difficult month of the year.
"All predictions show that January 2009 will be the worst January in living memory, and we have to take a business decision for the benefit of everyone involved.
"We just don't think there will be enough people around for a second mid-week night.
"However, we guarantee that Tuesday night meetings will be back in February.
Mr Perkins added that promotions, such as the 1p meal deal, run in connection with The Evening Telegraph, had seen a steady stream of punters still turning up, people were not spending enough to support the stadium's running costs.
Staff and greyhound trainers were told of the decision this week in a letter written by bosses at the stadium.
The letter said: "The stadium's income has dropped dramatically this year, and costs have risen disproportionately as the dreaded credit crunch and general downturn in the economy has hit home."
The sport has been badly hit by the financial crisis, with Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium in London being forced to shut earlier this year because of spiralling costs.
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Thursday 29 July 2010
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