The GVC group tracks are delighted to announce their plans to reopen to the public with test events starting as soon as September 8th at Crayford with Hove & Romford on September 10th & 11th respectively. We remain in conversations with the local authority at Monmore and have plans in place to reopen on October 1st in line with the general restrictions being lifted on Stadia.
The events overnight in Ireland demonstrate how difficult a process this is and it is important to note that these dates remain subject to any government or local authority changes but we have the green light at three of our four venues. Given the localised position in Wolverhampton and neighbouring Sandwell it is not a surprise that the local authority there remain cautious and we will continue to work with them & ensure that when we do reopen it is with their blessing.
The past 6 months have been a horribly frustrating and difficult time for all associated with our tracks but it is our owners who have been most affected. They been incredibly loyal and patient since we went into lockdown in March and even with a reduced capacity it is so important that we have been able to find a way of reopening which will allow them back to the track to see their greyhounds run.
We remain genuinely thankful for their support and look forward to welcoming them back. Tables will be reserved in both bar and restaurant areas at all tracks for owners to give them priority access as we expect demand to be high with the reduced numbers we are having to operate to.
Tracks will be operating at between 25% & 45% of their usual weekend crowd numbers due to the restrictions we have in place and pre booking will be required for all meetings. Crayford for example will operate when we reopen with a capacity of 282 – pre COVID we would regularly see over 900 in attendance.
We have been in constant conversations with local authorities & DCMS over the past few weeks and months and have produced extremely detailed plans which fully integrate all aspects of social distancing requirements and provide an environment which will keep our staff and customers safe – this has to be our absolute priority. I am sure our customers will respect this having had similar restrictions imposed in all walks of life over the past few months.
Tracks will offer a table only service in bar, restaurant & fast food areas with access to terracing differing by track. Hove for example will reopen with a limited capacity of 390 and won’t be able to use terrace areas as part of our license conditions though elsewhere access will be available with restricted movement. Romford will be able to accommodate a maximum of 411 with Monmore when it reopens limited to 336 customers.
Our world remains a very different one to that which we knew at the start of 2020 and in truth we have little idea what may come as winter sets in but we have overcome a number of significant barriers to get to a place where we can reopen our doors. We hope that customers will work with us and understand that those restrictions we have in place are a requirement to us being able to remain open and allow us to keep each of them, our colleagues and trainers safe and most importantly to ensure there is no further impact on our greyhounds and their ability to race.
Full details are available via our social media platforms so that customers understand the changes we are making before booking though it is important to note admission will be via pre bookings only. There will no option to turn up and pay on the gate while these restrictions remain in force. Tracks will be able to take bookings from August 24th.
