Crayford Greyhound Track to Close After Nearly 40 Years of Controversy

It’s official, Crayford Greyhound Track in Dartford, Kent, is set to shut its doors for good after the Christmas season in 2024.

For nearly four decades, this venue has been at the centre of controversy, with greyhounds forced into racing under conditions animal welfare advocates have long criticised. Now, the curtain is finally falling.

In a statement on their website, Ladbrokes, the stadium’s owner, said:

“We are saddened to announce the intended closure of the Crayford greyhound track. We have been exploring various avenues to avoid this decision for some time, but ultimately, it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the site.

The dwindling support for the venue has led to insufficient trainer interest to fulfil our schedules, fewer competitive race days, and, therefore, lower attendance which has sadly driven our decision to close.”

Ladbroke’s long history with greyhound racing adds weight to this decision. The company helped build and open the Crayford venue in 1986, so it’s no surprise they called the closure “not taken lightly.”

Affected employees have been informed, and consultations will begin soon to discuss support and next steps.

A Decline Decades in the Making

Crayford’s closure is just the latest chapter in the decline of greyhound racing in the UK. The industry has faced mounting pressure as public attitudes toward animal welfare shift.

Attendance at greyhound races has dropped significantly over the years, and financial struggles have forced many venues to close.

Earlier in 2024, Henlow Stadium in Bedfordshire, a cornerstone of UK greyhound racing, closed its doors after hosting its final race in January.

Protestors, who had campaigned for years against the track, called it a victory for animal rights.

Other closures include the iconic White City Stadium, which shut in 1984, and Walthamstow Stadium in East London, which followed in 2008.

More recently, the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium and Birmingham’s Hall Green Stadium both shut down in 2017, and Peterborough Greyhound Stadium closed in 2020 after 75 years of operation.

Each closure marks the end of an era for greyhound racing, but also a win for advocates who have fought tirelessly to end what they see as an exploitative and outdated practice.

What’s Next for the Greyhounds?

The looming closure raises questions about the future of the greyhounds who currently race at Crayford.

Animal welfare organisations are calling for rehoming programs to ensure these dogs are placed in loving homes rather than left in limbo. Greyhounds are known for being gentle and affectionate pets, but transitioning from track life to a family home isn’t always straightforward.

For the Crayford staff, Ladbrokes has promised individual consultations to explore options, but the reality is that job losses will be inevitable. The closure reflects not just a waning interest in greyhound racing, but also the financial and moral challenges plaguing the sport.

A Sign of Changing Times?

The closure of Crayford Greyhound Track feels like part of a larger movement. As animal welfare continues to take centre stage in public discourse, traditions like greyhound racing are being reexamined under the lens of modern ethics.

What was once seen as entertainment is increasingly viewed as unnecessary cruelty.

For those who have long campaigned against the industry, Crayford’s closure is bittersweet. A small victory, but a reminder of the work still left to do. The countdown to the final race has begun, and with it, perhaps the end of an era.

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