Arena Racing Company (ARC) have taken over Belle Vue and Perry Barr greyhound tracks from Clive Feltham.
The two tracks, which are both leasehold, from a pension fund and local council respectively, join the ARC stable of Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound tracks, plus 16 racecourses.
While ARC’s strategy is still to be revealed, the news will be of big relief to anyone connected with either track. With Feltham having been forced to relinquish control of both Wimbedon and Hall Green within the last three years, and with developers seeking planning permission for housing on Belle Vue, there has been widespread concern over the longevity of both tracks, particularly the Manchester racecourse.
A statement from ARC reads:
This deal represents a further commitment from ARC to British Greyhound Racing as the stadia join Newcastle and Sunderland, which joined the ARC group in 2018. Belle Vue, in Manchester, and Perry Barr, in Birmingham host 103 and 208 BAGS fixtures annually. Combined with 414 fixtures at Newcastle and Sunderland, nearly 50% of 1619 annual BAGS fixtures will be run at ARC stadia.
ARC Group Corporate Development Director, Kevin Robertson, said, “We are delighted to have reached agreement with GRA to bring Perry Barr and Belle Vue into the ARC group. We have a strong commitment to invest in British Greyhounds, and we look forward to working with the teams at both Belle Vue and Perry Barr”.
Chairman of GRA, Clive Feltham said, “It’s been a pleasure running GRA having been involved for forty years. I am delighted to be handing over Belle Vue and Perry Barr to a professional and progressive company in ARC. I have had some great people working for me and attached to the stadia and I am sure they will continue to do a fantastic job under new owners”
We have been promised further information from ARC and hope to provide more details of their future plans.
