Date: 17th August 2008

DESPITE the full attention of the press, the on-track protests, and the inevitable outbursts of nastalgia, Walthamstow quietly closed its doors last night for the last time, amid reassurance that dogs from the Stadium will not suffer.

In a rueful press release on the track's website, the Chandler Family blamed the track's demise on 'plummeting' attendance levels, combined with 'The Government's decision to abolish off-course General Betting Duty'.  Ending their statement on an upbeat note, the Chandlers said that we should celebrate the track's 75-year history, and remember the good times.

Meanwhile, in an earlier statement, the British Greyhound Racing Board made assurances that no greyhounds would be at risk as a result of the closure, noting that 'whatever resources are needed will be made available to safeguard the welfare of all greyhounds connected with the Stadium.' The BGRB also allayed fears that trainers would also bear the brunt of the greyhound relocations, adding 'We are hopeful that a number will be offered positions at other tracks and their greyhounds will be able to continue their racing careers.'

The Chandler family, long known and well respected in the betting industry, will formally transfer ownership of the part-listed site to development consortium Walthamstow Stadium Developments Ltd on 1st September 2008, who are thought to be building new homes on the site.