Towcester to stage greyhound racing by end of the year

Kevin Ackerman, Chris Page, Lord Hesketh and Martin White unveil the greyhound track at Towcester yesterday (picture: Kelly Cooper)

A new greyhound track at Towcester Racecourse should be open by the end of the year after the county venue announced that construction will start next month on the first new circuit to be built in the UK in last 19 years.

It is anticipated the £1.5m track, which brings the racecourse’s total development spend to £12 million, will be completed by October.

The track will be built on the inside of the current National Hunt course to enable diners in the Empress Stand to look out to the winning post.

Towcester plans to stage three meetings a week, offering a blend of six and eight dog racing, with the aim of establishing itself as the premier greyhound track in the country.

Facilities will include the latest large screen systems installed throughout the customer/hospitality areas as well as a high definition 50 square metre large screen in the track area.

The track should also benefit from a wide catchment area, especially as dog tracks at Milton Keynes, Oxford and Coventry have closed down in recent years.

Towcester Racecourse chief executive Kevin Ackerman said: “This is an extremely exciting time for the business as we embark on a venture which will see us significantly enhance our revenue generation and provide a number of jobs and opportunities for local people.

“It will also provide a unique entertainment experience to the people of Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties, as well as enabling the business to build on its highly successful horse racing product. Our overriding aim is to become Ascot of the greyhound world.”

Full story in this week’s Chron