Commenting on the recent announcement that the Culture Minister Oliver Dowden had this week met with some of the major sporting leads with regards to a possible financial rescue package, GBGB Managing Director Mark Bird said:
“None of us within greyhound racing consider that we are anywhere near being through the Covid-19 crisis; indeed the government this week announced further restrictions affecting parts of the country and sporting events, potentially well into 2021. We were pleased to be the first sport to return post-Lockdown, and for that we credit the hard work of all those within the industry, but it is clear that the impact of restrictions will be long felt .”
It is understood that any rescue package is based on an assessment as to losses for sports from spectators not being allowed into stadiums since March and the Lockdown. Bird said:
“This is certainly the case for greyhound racing. Some tracks have recently been permitted by local authorities to allow limited numbers back into tracks to watch racing which has been excellent to see, but this will still only represent a fraction of what tracks would ordinarily be getting in terms of revenue in their restaurants, bars, snack bars and for Tote takings. We also need to account for the fact that some GBGB tracks are still racing behind closed doors, where their local councils have not yet relaxed any of the social distancing conditions.
“Everyone involved in UK greyhound racing has suffered financially, from promoters and track staff to owners and trainers. Any possible financial package, at this time, that can help offset some of the considerable losses suffered by UK greyhound tracks would be hugely welcomed.
“We intend to provide a detailed submission to DCMS, which will clearly outline what the losses on spectator numbers look like for tracks, and will also provide an overview of how others within the sport have likewise suffered, such as owners and trainers. Only this week we have seen Poole confirm its closure, based largely on a lack of footfall – the same reason cited for Peterborough and Belle Vue – so the costs of Covid-19 on our sport are clear to see.
“We have been heartened by the spirit of the greyhound community throughout, and particularly in spite of these sad track losses, and will continue to do everything in our power as a regulator to keep our sport open and running – not least for the welfare of our greyhounds – through any further restrictions this winter.”
