Norfolk Bear Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Why has no promoter looked at reviving this venue where it appears that the Council actually want it re opening ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Do you not think if it was that easy someone wouldn't already be running it? Basically, the current owners have no intention of allowing it to be used by any tenant, preferring to see it fall into disrepair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) Why has no promoter looked at reviving this venue where it appears that the Council actually want it re opening ? Do you not think if it was that easy someone wouldn't already be running it? Basically, the current owners have no intention of allowing it to be used by any tenant, preferring to see it fall into disrepair. Not sure how this would work out but would not a prospective speedway promoter also be responsible for all the renovations and upgrading needed to bring the speedway back? The cost would be prohibitive and not worthwhile looking at - as it seems in these times - with an attendance of around 1,000! Edited February 24, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Why has no promoter looked at reviving this venue where it appears that the Council actually want it re opening ? I looked in some years ago and the stadium was looking very sorry for itself (confirmed only a couple of years ago when my uncle did same) and would need some attention...and money to bring it up to scratch. I put it to GRA at the time that their intention was to run the asset down and sell it off for development which a representative strongly denied however I've been proved correct since. A very sad state of affairs...and especially yours truly who attended Cowley for 32 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 I thought there were a couple of promoters willing to step in as long as the right terms were agreed. There is the stumbling block, although hasn't the site been designated for Leisure use only?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 I thought there were a couple of promoters willing to step in as long as the right terms were agreed. There is the stumbling block, although hasn't the site been designated for Leisure use only?! thats not a stumbling block, its the only thing preventing demolition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 thats not a stumbling block, its the only thing preventing demolition. The Totaliser has had a preservation order placed upon it to the best of my knowledge...may have even been grade listed. However the future of the complex is still uncertain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC7 Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Not sure how this would work out but would not a prospective speedway promoter also be responsible for all the renovations and upgrading needed to bring the speedway back? The cost would be prohibitive and not worthwhile looking at - as it seems in these times - with an attendance of around 1,000! If the stadium does get sold as a going concern and it is bought by a greyhound operator, then they'd presumably be responsible for fitting out the restaurant/bar area. Regarding the speedway facilities - much of it is still in place as it was left and would just need a good tidy up, with much of the equipment being stored off site. The only big expense would be an airfence/foam fence, but if other clubs can raise the funds to buy one by a challenge meeting or whatever then this shouldn't be too much of an issue. The main problem being waiting for the current owners to decide what they're going to do with the site! thats not a stumbling block, its the only thing preventing demolition. The whole site is designated as a conservation area. Even felling a tree without the correct permissions can have serious consequences for the owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 If the stadium does get sold as a going concern and it is bought by a greyhound operator, then they'd presumably be responsible for fitting out the restaurant/bar area. Regarding the speedway facilities - much of it is still in place as it was left and would just need a good tidy up, with much of the equipment being stored off site. The only big expense would be an airfence/foam fence, but if other clubs can raise the funds to buy one by a challenge meeting or whatever then this shouldn't be too much of an issue. The main problem being waiting for the current owners to decide what they're going to do with the site! The whole site is designated as a conservation area. Even felling a tree without the correct permissions can have serious consequences for the owners. At the moment, sadly, they seem happy to just sit on it and allow the value of the Site to increase. Really, it is a shame that pressure cannot be brought on the current Owners to make up their minds quickly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remembertheracers Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) Seeing Smallmead derelict and torn down without development for nearly a decade is bad enough. While I know Oxford crowds slumped badly it must be even more agonising to see a once decent stadium there and allowed to decay so some big banking business can one day make a mint must hurt even more. Edited February 25, 2017 by remembertheracers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Seeing Smallmead derelict and torn down without development for nearly a decade is bad enough. While I know Oxford crowds slumped badly it must be even more agonising to see a once decent stadium there and allowed to decay so some big banking business can one day make a mint must hurt even more. Unless a compulsory order can be purchased I fear for the stadium and it's future...I hope that I am proved wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Are there any meetings of Oxford speedway supporters planned for the immediate future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC7 Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Are there any meetings of Oxford speedway supporters planned for the immediate future? The Oxford Speedway Supporters Club still hire a venue and show each Grand Prix round on a big screen with an all you can eat BBQ, apart from Cardiff where they put on a couple of coaches for supporters. They also do an end of season dinner each year with a guest speaker. All are still well attended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 The Totaliser has had a preservation order placed upon it to the best of my knowledge...may have even been grade listed. However the future of the complex is still uncertain.the totaliser board was listed at catford as well. It dissapeared along with the stadium. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) The conservation area status is on the whole stadium, in particular the two racing circuits. It lasts for a 'generation' and a challenge to it was thrown out in High Court. There's been little movement since the whole situation was explained in the Speedway Star last March. It's still the same stalemate, which can only be broken if the council go ahead with a CPO. Even the 'sale' of the stadium (the buyers were exactly the same people as the sellers!!) last Autumn hasn't affected the situation. All the best Rob Edited February 26, 2017 by lucifer sam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 The conversation area status is on the whole area Is this a major talking point Rob? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirates Of Poole Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Surely a compulsory purchase by Oxford council can be put through. Then sell it back to a company who will only use the site for leisure ie. Speedway and Greyhound racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC7 Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Surely a compulsory purchase by Oxford council can be put through. Then sell it back to a company who will only use the site for leisure ie. Speedway and Greyhound racing. Ultimately, I think this will be the eventual outcome. As frustrating as it is though, the stadium 'changed owners' only a few months ago, so the council can't be seen to jump straight in to a CPO so will probably have hold off for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 The conversation area status is on the whole area, in particular the two racing circuits. It lasts for a 'generation' and a challenge to it was thrown out in High Court. There's been little movement since the whole situation was explained in the Speedway Star last March. It's still the same stalemate, which can only be broken if the council go ahead with a CPO. Even the 'sale' of the stadium (the buyers were exactly the same people as the sellers!!) last Autumn hasn't affected the situation. All the best Rob Is it not 'Conservation' we are talking about here lucifer sam? See what I did there. Coat required? :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) Is this a major talking point Rob? Ooooops - now corrected. All the best Rob Edited February 26, 2017 by lucifer sam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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