Westhoughton Greyhound Track

Westhoughton Greyhound Track was a greyhound racing track in Hart Common, Westhoughton, Metropolitan Borough of Bolton.[1]

Westhoughton Greyhound Track
LocationMarsh Brook Fold, Wigan Road, Westhoughton, Metropolitan Borough of Bolton
Coordinates53°32′27″N 2°33′28″W
Opened1950s
Closed2012

Opening

The track opened in 1950s and was located on Marsh Brook Fold on the south side of Wigan Road at Hart Common in Westhoughton.[2]

Greyhound racing

Independent (unaffiliated to a governing body) greyhound racing took place on a tight oval shaped circuit and raced over 285, 470 and 660 yards. Racing started during the 1950s and the circumference of the track was 375 yards with kennels facilities for 40 greyhounds.[3]

Race nights were held on Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings with five dog racing instead of the normal six. Competitions held included the Westhoughton Derby[4] and St Leger.[3]

During 2000 the track was put up for sale for £100,000 by owner Arthur Brightcliffe.[5]

Closure

The track closed in 2012 and in 2013 the council agreed the building of 38 homes on the site.[1] The site was demolished in 2014 and in 2017 the redevelopment was passed.[6]

References
  1. "Bolton's last greyhound racing track in Westhoughton will be demolished". Bolton News.
  2. "OS Plan 1954-1960". old-maps.co.uk.
  3. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 305-206. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  4. "Westhoughton & Bolton Greyhound Racing Derby Final Night". You Tube.
  5. "Remember When July". Greyhound Star.
  6. "Redevelopment of former Westhoughton greyhound stadium finally set to go ahead". Bolton News.
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