May 18, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
Walthamstow Dogs To Close!
Photo by Alibiphoto
“The main purpose of listing a building is to ensure that care will be taken over decisions affecting its future“
So said the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2007 as Culture Minister David Lammy announced the listing of Walthamstow Stadium declaring it “wouldn’t be going to the dogs“. He stated:
“Its the best surviving and most architecturally interesting vintage greyhound stadium in the country, and a major East London landmark. It is only right that we should celebrate this architectural showpiece to popular entertainment by listing its key components.”
Many at the time questioned if the “key components” part of that spiel gave the green light for the bulldozers to destroy all but the neon sign. Sure enough on Friday (16 May), barely 10 months after it was “saved“, the owners announced the sale of Walthamstow Dogs and its closure in mid August.
“The directors of Walthamstow Stadium Limited have agreed to the sale of the Company’s freehold property at Walthamstow Stadium to a development consortium led by Yoo Capital and K W Linfoot plc. Formal contracts have been exchanged and completion is expected on or before 1st September 2008. Racing will continue until the middle of August 2008“
So Walthamstow loses its “Las Vegas at the end of the Victoria Line“, the “Rolls Royce of Greyhound tracks” and a history dating back to 1933 but gains another new housing development. Until recently VisitLondon, London’s international tourism site had the dog track with its art deco frontage as one of only 6 attractions outside of Central London deemed worthy of a visit!
Listed by Time Out as No.3 of 101 things to do before leaving London, and as one of the capitals “best nights out ever!“, the charm and atmosphere of the dogs has attracted everyone from thousands of ordinary Londoners, tourists, Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones and even Boris Johnson in March. Perhaps unaware that a deal to close the place was all but sealed he declared “I’ve had great night - a brilliant night out for all the family. It was fantastic to get a real appreciation of the history of this magnificent old place from some of those who have helped make it.”
Its not just famous for sport, on the 4th of July 1945 Winston Churchill was booed and heckled (pictured) as he delivered the final speech of the election campaign to a crowd of around 20,000 East Enders. Although many came to see the man who’d “delivered victory“, huge numbers had come to demand new housing and a near riot broke out. From Churchill to Goldenballs, the Dogs is also part of Waltham Forest’s David Beckham trail due to Mr Posh Spice’s former employment as a £10 a week empty glass collector. A letter and drawing of a Walthamstow Greyhound by a 16 year old Beckham raised a grand at auction a few years back.
The dog track also has its place in popular culture, Britpop’s most famous album “Parklife” by Blur was launched at the track as well as featuring pictures of the band at the Dogs, and boybands and musicians alike have danced in front of the famous neon lights. Countless adverts, films and TV shows have been filmed there from Guy Richies “Snatch“, the 1970’s “Gone To The Dogs“ comedy series, right upto date with the MI5 not 9 to 5’s Spooks (YouTube clip).
It should be noted that some find the sport of Greyhound Racing itself cruel, and may rejoice at the stadiums demise, in fact Greyhound Action Group released a statement saying they were “absolutely delighted to hear the news.”
Whether you love or hate it, the fact is that with its sale to “developers” Walthamstow will lose not only 75 years of history but also its only globally renowned landmark and tourist attraction.
The question is, how does selling a Grade II listed site to housing developers while publicly declaring there were no plans to do so constitute ensuring “care will be taken over decisions affecting its future” as set out in the requirements of its listed status.
Links
Walthamstow Stadium - Official site / History
News of the Stadiums closure makes The Guardian, Independent, Setanta, and Walthamstow Guardian.
Racing world left “stunned” says The Walthamstow Guardian
Some fantastic pictures of Walthamstow Dogs from Flickr users
Stowjudge’s wonderful clips of life at the dog track, including this poignant one pondering what life would be like if the dogs were ever to close! (Youtube)
Lovely Super-8 film of visit to the dogs (YouTube)
Shetland Pony racing at Walthamstow
Articles about the dogs:
A mistunderstanding over a boat and a ‘orse for a reviewer of the Paddock Grill.
The Living Scotsman ponders why celebs love Walthamstow Dogs
The Standard has a diamond night at the dogs but gets barred from Charlie Chans
Diamond Geezer loses all night but vows to return
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Posted by John
May 22, 2008 @ 11:44 am
I was very sad to hear about Walthamstow closing. I live in New Zealand, but while working in the UK for 3 years Walthamstow was part of my life. The electric atmosphere and the sorroundings was something I will never forget. It is part of London’s herritage, whenever any of my friends travel to the UK, I allways told them to make sure they have a night out at Walthamstow.
very sad indeed
Posted by Steven Douglas
May 23, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
A beautiful and spot-on article. This closure is not so much the loss of an attraction but the destruction of a true landmark etched into the history of north-east London. And all for a housing estate of which we have far too many at the moment. So many times the term ‘unsustainable operation’ is a catchword for ‘poor management’. Thanks for the memories Walthamstow Stadium and rest in peace.
Posted by blackhorseroad
May 23, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Thanks for taking the time to comment
John
As you say Walthamstow Stadium is rightly famous worldwide, and “if” it closes it will be a huge loss to the employment, entertainment and history of the borough, capital and country.
Steven
Its certainly an easy option to take the devlopers cash rather than make the effort to market the stadium properly as has been done at other very succesful tracks.
Posted by shane brody
May 26, 2008 @ 10:28 am
was totally gutted to read of the closure of this landmark tourist attraction - being a key player in trying to persuade our Government to introduce greyhound racing in South Africa for over a decade now (banned in 1948 by old apartheid “anti-gambling” government), and having visited the “Stow” as a geust of the BRGB in 2000, I am of the oppinion that this track should be saved at all costs, even if this means Government intervention. Is it not sad that seemingly everything dear to Britain is being lost - country pubs, fox hunting, landmark greyhound tracks….whats next? Unfortunately, while radical animal rightists will gloat, when you have lost your culture and traditions, all is lost!!!
Posted by Mark
May 28, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
Let’s hope that a buy out can happen with racing supporters funding it, I’d certainly be up for “chipping in” to be a shareholder in something that has given millions of people an enjoyable night out. and if it can;t be saved let’s hope that the developers don’t let the listed parts of the stadium get destroyed, remember the Catford Listed Score board that accidently burnt down
Posted by Christian Statham
June 10, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
This has truly saddened me. It seems as we go forth into this new century, we find it too easy to forget all that we’ve been through to get here.
I feel truly miserable after hearing this news… I don’t know anyone who’s been to the track and not enjoyed it. You just assume it would always be there. It’s another bit of solid culture being diluted from existence by pointless development. First the lidos, then the dog tracks… What’s wrong with everyone?
Posted by tom
June 24, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
What a shame though i’m not surprised. It seems to be symbolic of what’s happening all over the country. More housing means more people yet no facilities or amenities are being replaced or introduced to cater for it. It’s always about money with no foresight into the publics general quality of life. It could have been so good!
Posted by blackhorseroad
June 27, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7GJ61b14Nc
The beeb takes another trip to the dogs. I guess we’ll get the media there a bit in the build up to turning the most famous and most entertaining night in Walthamstow into souless yuppie flats
Posted by Bob Mason
July 4, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
I have only visited Walthamstow Dogs as a ‘tourist’, but I have loved dog racing for 30 odd years and been to various tracks up and down the country (the majority of them now closed - Salford, White City Manchester, Harringay, Slough, White City London, Leeds, Gosforth, the old Perry Barr, Rochester). If I thought signing a petition would make any difference i would sign it a thousand times, but at the end of the day it is a business deal between two private companies - as a dog racing enthusiast the only thing to do is remember the good times at the places that have closed, but more than that support those that are left while they are still around. Sadly I fear that Walthamstow won’t be the last big track to close for the love of money ….
Posted by Colin
August 1, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Do the residents really want more high rise blocks within their community, because thats what the developers will go for. With all the knife crime in London does it make sences to allow the closure of a facility that is for the family.The local councillors should be lobbied by the local residents group for their views and made to act now.There will be no jobs and lesiure facilities in Walthamstow if people do not speak out now.
Act now before it’s to late.
Posted by blackhorseroad
August 2, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Colin,
Couldnt agree more.
Its insane to close down such a popular and world famous stadium. Last time I was there - the thursday before last - what i noticed more as I tucked into my scampi and chips was the laughter and smiles. Looking around the main enclosure, you could see old and young, families, city types, black, white and everything in between, and everyone of them was either laughing or smiling (at least until the race finished!).
The local councillors and politicians have done scandelously little to save the boroughs most iconic venue, and tourist attraction.
Posted by Katherine
August 4, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
There’s a march to protest about the closure. People are meeting at the dog track on Saturday 16 August 2008 at 2pm, to march to the Town Hall. All are welcome.
Posted by Colin
August 6, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
Katherine,
The march is now at 12.00 not 2pm, I believe the police have agreed the time and route - there is an open meeting in the Goodwood Lounge,inside the Stadium at 5.30pm on Thursday 7th August to discuss the event. All are welcome.
Posted by Katherine
August 6, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Thanks Colin, the march will also finish at the Town Square now. Thanks and look forward to seeing you and others there.
Posted by blackhorseroad
August 6, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Thanks Katherine/Colin,
I’ll put the information on the front page at the beginning of next week so whoever visits the site gets a reminder.
Posted by Colin
August 21, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
Todays Racing Post report by Paul Brown - 20/08/08
SOS campaigners met with councillor Semus Lalor who had a pre-meeting with L&Q (developers) in the morning. The draft plans were left with Mr. Lalor and L&Q gave permission for SOS to review them.Mr Lalor said he instructed L&Q not to leave the site empty, that it must be used virtually immediately, and that the listed buildings must be maintained.
L&Q are acting as managing agents for Walthamstow Stadium Developments Ltd who have purchased the Stow.
The proposed development calls for 500 FLATS BUILT UP TO 11 STOREYS HIGH - SO MUCH FOR L&Q’S QUOTE - “NO HIGH RISE FLATS WILL BE BUILT ON THE SITE”
Posted by a very concerned resident
September 2, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
where’s the support of the National Lottery Fund when it’s required?
Posted by blackhorseroad
September 4, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
Posted your report on the tower blocks Colin. Hopefull something will come from SaveOurStows alternate plans and meeting with the current owners.
Very concerned… I think its all going to the Olympics… oh hang on arent we an olympic borough
Posted by AvdeyAvdy
November 6, 2008 @ 3:18 am
Cool!