Morning:
8°c
Last-ditch bid by businessman to save famous dog track
Mark Blunden, Evening Standard11 Aug 2008
Campaigners are hoping for a "stay of execution" to save Walthamstow Stadium from being demolished and turned into housing.
The 75-year-old dog track's founding family, the Chandlers, sold it earlier this year to a housing association for a rumoured £22million.
But a consortium led by Australian businessman Richard Codd, with pressure group Save Our Stow, hopes to transform Walthamstow's fortunes.
The group will meet London and Quadrant Housing Trust later this month in a bid to convince it to lease or sell the site to Mr Codd. It is willing to pay more than £1million over the purchase price.
More than 400 people work at the stadium, which is due to hold its last race night on Saturday before being turned over to L&Q on 1 September. The negotiations are being led by former footballer Barry Silkman.
Almost 200 racing greyhounds will need to be rehomed if the stadium shuts. A spokesman for Mr Codd, who wants to host "the biggest greyhound race in the world", said: "The offer is serious and we've asked for a stay of execution. We've offered to put some money down to secure the future of the home of greyhound racing."
An L&Q spokeswoman said: "L&Q has agreed to meet the bidding consortium with regards to the proposal to ensure we have given it full consideration."
