Member Article

Owlerton invests to raise the bar

Owlerton Greyhound Stadium has completed a £500,000 investment programme to boost the venue’s spectator experience and future event credentials.

Management at Yorkshire’s premier race track have ploughed the six figure sum into renovation and refurbishment work at the Sheffield-based business.

The investment, which has seen changes and upgrades to existing bars, the snack bar and kitchen and toilet facilities across the lower ground floor of the main grandstand, aims to maximise operational efficiency, attract a more diverse audience and to keep up with the company’s aggressive sales and marketing programme.

The Paddock Bar, which was once separated from the snack bar via a tunnel, can now accommodate greater spectator numbers and offer a broader range of events.

John Gilburn, managing director at Owlerton Greyhound Stadium, said: “Our company’s business strategy hinges around the provision of a good quality visitor experience.

“The bars and food service operation on the ground floor of the main stand was uninviting and a lack of modern spectator amenities inside made it difficult for people to relax. It was also not in keeping with the rest of the stadium.

“The previous snack bar and bar area were old fashioned and not designed to accommodate different users groups. This project brings the ground floor up to the standards that the modern public and paying customer expects.”

The capital investment programme was funded partly in-house by Owlerton Stadium, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of A & S Leisure Group, and partly through a grant from the British Greyhound Racing Fund (BGRF). This was secured following the submission of detailed plans and feasibility studies with the BGRF.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .