Hinckley Greyhound Stadium

Hinckley Greyhound Stadium

Location	Nutts Lane, Hinckley, southwest Leicestershire
Coordinates	52°31′54″N 1°23′59″W / 52.53167°N 1.39972°W / 52.53167; -1.39972
Opened	1936
Closed	2006

Hinckley Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium on Nutts Lane in Hinckley, south-west Leicestershire.

Origins[]

A man called Joe Grant started the Hinckley Greyhound and Whippet Racing Association in 1936 and a track was constructed in Nutts Lane directly on the north side of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway South Leicestershire branch.^[1]

Opening[]

The track opened in 1936 and the racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club).^[2]

History[]

During the 1930s and 1940s the stadium ran mixed meetings where the greyhound races were supplemented by whippet racing. Joe Grant purchased an extra one and a half acres in 1947 and the track was extended. A McWhiter hare system was installed and the track established itself as one of the leading flapping tracks in the country. Flapping was the nickname given to independent tracks.^[2]

By 1960s the McWhirter hare system was replaced by the 'Inside Sumner' on a track measuring a 400-yard circumference with race distances over 300, 500, 710 and 900 yards. Racing was held on Wednesday and Saturday evening at 7.30pm.^[3]

In 1972 Tom Grant took over from Joe after his death in 1972. During the 1980s and 1990s the track had a covered stand, car parking for 200 vehicles and a computerised totalisator.^[2] The stadium also held a Sunday market.

Closure[]

The council granted Crest Nicholson planning permission in 2006 for 84 homes. The stadium was demolished making way for housing called Greyhound Croft.

References[]