When I lived in Stoke Newington I got to know the North Circular pretty well. One of the great sights just off that road was the Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium, with its illuminated facade redolent of the fairground.

A night at the greyhounds isn’t my preferred entertainment, to be honest. I’d rather see a play or an opera, or spend the evening in the pub. But I have been to the dogs one or two times, and it’s an enjoyable way of passing time with your mates – better than ten pin bowling, anyway (IMHO). And less dangerous than go-karting; but I’ll save that particula story for another time.
If you fancy a night out at Walthamstow, though, you don’t have long to do it.  The stadium will close for good in August.

There are two reasons. One is that greyhound racing just isn’t cutting edge entertainment any more.  It’s the kind of thing your grandad used to do. The rise of the betting shop and its all-day television fodder means that if dog racing is your thing, you no longer need to go to the track. Other stadiums have closed already – London will be left with just two, Wimbledon and Romford.

But I suspect the other reason is that London perennial – you make more money by selling land for housing development than by running a viable business.

It’s the end of 75 years of history.  And I shall miss the light display.
Photo credit: DanPea on Flickr

Post from: The London Traveler