Supporters of Manchester’s historic Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium have been boosted after receiving news that owners Crown Oil Pension Fund want to sell the Freehold.

In July 2018, Belle Vue campaigners were granted an Asset of Community Value order (ACV) on the site by Manchester City Council (MCC).

What this means is that the ACV ensures that the ‘Friends of Belle Vue Stadium’ (FOBVS) group of supporters, have the legal right to bid for the Freehold of Belle Vue, if the land owners ever want to sell the site.

Chair of the FOBVS group Simon Walmsley has now been notified by lawyers from the council, that the owners have registered their intention to sell up, disposing of the Freehold with vacant possession, and that under the terms of the ACV, the group are permitted to bid for the stadium.

In turn we have confirmed that we wish to accept the opportunity to bid, following early interest from a number of overseas investors.

Whilst it is very early days in the process, it is encouraging to know that there is keen interest in seeing the stadium continue, which is what we’ve worked hard to protect.

“We have had some early interest from potential investors and we will work towards putting a serious bid forward hopefully.”

Walmsley also maintains that the track could survive and thrive as a going concern.

“This is one of the best situated tracks in the country in terms of bringing in crowds – we were still very busy pre-lockdown as the crowds were good.”

Walmsley added, “I accept these are testing times and what has happened in the world has made things harder still.”

“If anyone is interested in pursuing this as an option, then I’m more than happy to talk to them.”