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My Mrs booked a table for last nights meeting, i was completely unaware i was going until yesterday morning.
Positives
The place was very busy, and the restaurant looked packed out.
The lady that took care of out table was very pleasant, along with the Tote lady who was in attendance on time for each race bar one. Service with a smile.
Negatives
Many of these will of been highlighted many times before, so without reading further you will have already guessed what lets the place down.
Viewing is awful, unless you stand on the seats you are given, and lean as far as you can without falling into "diners" behind or infront of you.
The food was acceptable but no better.
The "supplement" selections should really not need supplements at all.....why should steak be another £6-7 quid, especially when it arrives like an overcooked stress ball, along with the Sundae for dessert, why should a glass of ice cream covered/smothered in spray cream be another £3-4?
On the betting side of things, i played solely on Betfair, i could have wondered outside for a go but i knew i'd be getting slimmer fractions than on here so didnt. My Mrs who was more than happy playing with £40 having the odd fiver and tenner where she wanted...I played Westmead Meteor on here, and she followed, the Tote returning £17 for her £10 bet.....why i let her play on the Tote is probably my fault but my God...what is the point unless your playing tricast combis or somthing.The returns are shambolic.
So many things can and should be improved, i'm just about to read Harry Findlays piece in the RP, lets see what he has to say about Coventry.
Rant over.
Positives
The place was very busy, and the restaurant looked packed out.
The lady that took care of out table was very pleasant, along with the Tote lady who was in attendance on time for each race bar one. Service with a smile.
Negatives
Many of these will of been highlighted many times before, so without reading further you will have already guessed what lets the place down.
Viewing is awful, unless you stand on the seats you are given, and lean as far as you can without falling into "diners" behind or infront of you.
The food was acceptable but no better.
The "supplement" selections should really not need supplements at all.....why should steak be another £6-7 quid, especially when it arrives like an overcooked stress ball, along with the Sundae for dessert, why should a glass of ice cream covered/smothered in spray cream be another £3-4?
On the betting side of things, i played solely on Betfair, i could have wondered outside for a go but i knew i'd be getting slimmer fractions than on here so didnt. My Mrs who was more than happy playing with £40 having the odd fiver and tenner where she wanted...I played Westmead Meteor on here, and she followed, the Tote returning £17 for her £10 bet.....why i let her play on the Tote is probably my fault but my God...what is the point unless your playing tricast combis or somthing.The returns are shambolic.
So many things can and should be improved, i'm just about to read Harry Findlays piece in the RP, lets see what he has to say about Coventry.
Rant over.
Show More
Multi-million pound plan to turn stadium into 'Royal Ascot' of dog racing
12:03pm Friday 1st March 2013
Exclusive By Lauren May
A multi-million pound plan to transform Wimbledon greyhound stadium into "the Royal Ascot" of dog racing was unveiled last night.
Irish business man Paschal Taggart has revealed a new £60m plan to redevelop Wimbledon Greyhound stadium at Plough Lane at a meeting for councillors.
Mr Taggart had previously put forward proposals for a £30m four-tier stadium suitable for 6,000 spectators, but has since revised his plans taking into consideration the council's requirement for "sporting intensification" of the area and Christopher’s Squash Club, located on the site for the last 40 years.
The ambitious plans feature a new world class squash club with seven courts, a four tier 4,500 capacity greyhound racing stadium, supermarket and residential apartments as well as a multi storey car park, medical centre, dance studio and gymnasium.
Mr Taggart said: "The council clearly want enhanced sporting facilities so over the last few months we have been actively looking at that.
"We have come up with what we think is a superb plan."
Already credited with revolutionising the Irish greyhound racing industry, Mr Taggart is looking to repeat his success in the UK.
He added: "I’m not going to make any money from this.
"I will end up with a bill for the greyhound track but my objective is to maintain greyhound racing.
"We have done it in Ireland where we have improved facilities and it works like a dream.
"This is going to be the Royal Ascot of greyhound racing.
"It's like a mini Olympic village and I think it’s fantastic.
"If there is a better plan out there, then good luck to them."
The track has been home to greyhound racing since 1928 and has hosted the derby since 1985.
The current dog track is co-owned by Galliard Homes and GRA Limited who have previously drawn up plans for a 15,000 football stadium and residential apartments and have said they would welcome the return of AFC Wimbledon to the borough.
AFC Wimbledon have also put forward their own revised plans for a mixed use development featuring a 22,000 capacity stadium, starting at 12,000, 500 residential apartments, a hotel, education and retail space and an intention to replace the squash courts and gym at Christopher’s Squash Club.
Formal planning applications for the site have not yet been accepted with the council expected to have made a decision on which proposal will progress by the end of this year.
For more on this story see the Wimbledon Guardian next week.
12:03pm Friday 1st March 2013
Exclusive By Lauren May
A multi-million pound plan to transform Wimbledon greyhound stadium into "the Royal Ascot" of dog racing was unveiled last night.
Irish business man Paschal Taggart has revealed a new £60m plan to redevelop Wimbledon Greyhound stadium at Plough Lane at a meeting for councillors.
Mr Taggart had previously put forward proposals for a £30m four-tier stadium suitable for 6,000 spectators, but has since revised his plans taking into consideration the council's requirement for "sporting intensification" of the area and Christopher’s Squash Club, located on the site for the last 40 years.
The ambitious plans feature a new world class squash club with seven courts, a four tier 4,500 capacity greyhound racing stadium, supermarket and residential apartments as well as a multi storey car park, medical centre, dance studio and gymnasium.
Mr Taggart said: "The council clearly want enhanced sporting facilities so over the last few months we have been actively looking at that.
"We have come up with what we think is a superb plan."
Already credited with revolutionising the Irish greyhound racing industry, Mr Taggart is looking to repeat his success in the UK.
He added: "I’m not going to make any money from this.
"I will end up with a bill for the greyhound track but my objective is to maintain greyhound racing.
"We have done it in Ireland where we have improved facilities and it works like a dream.
"This is going to be the Royal Ascot of greyhound racing.
"It's like a mini Olympic village and I think it’s fantastic.
"If there is a better plan out there, then good luck to them."
The track has been home to greyhound racing since 1928 and has hosted the derby since 1985.
The current dog track is co-owned by Galliard Homes and GRA Limited who have previously drawn up plans for a 15,000 football stadium and residential apartments and have said they would welcome the return of AFC Wimbledon to the borough.
AFC Wimbledon have also put forward their own revised plans for a mixed use development featuring a 22,000 capacity stadium, starting at 12,000, 500 residential apartments, a hotel, education and retail space and an intention to replace the squash courts and gym at Christopher’s Squash Club.
Formal planning applications for the site have not yet been accepted with the council expected to have made a decision on which proposal will progress by the end of this year.
For more on this story see the Wimbledon Guardian next week.
Ive seen this NGU......My God this track needs a saviour.
I was told a couple of weeks ago that the restaurant was packed, and couldn't get a table, after going this weekend it is obvious that the place and sport has massive appeal.
The prize money is desperate compared to other tracks, even my Mrs asked "how much would an A1 dog cost, and why would it run for £104?"
Im sure i have seen Hove A9's having the same or near as damn it winning prize money.....having owned (part) a dog there you wonder why anyone would want to get into ownership. I am really keen to own another, but would i run it at Wimbledon..........Unlikely.
Its bloody sad
I was told a couple of weeks ago that the restaurant was packed, and couldn't get a table, after going this weekend it is obvious that the place and sport has massive appeal.
The prize money is desperate compared to other tracks, even my Mrs asked "how much would an A1 dog cost, and why would it run for £104?"
Im sure i have seen Hove A9's having the same or near as damn it winning prize money.....having owned (part) a dog there you wonder why anyone would want to get into ownership. I am really keen to own another, but would i run it at Wimbledon..........Unlikely.
Its bloody sad
if these plans are genuinely sustainable then quality. everything the council are after. no idea how they can turn it down in favour of a league 2 side flirting with relegation that only got 8000 when in the prem. especially the squash angle, maybe stick a gym there, invite fitness first or something to get involved, then you're tackling an ever increasing nationwide issue of fatties.
There was a covenant put on the plough lane football ground by Sir Cyril Black, the then owner in 1965, that there would always be sport played on that area of land.... today all there is .... is housing. If they want to build on it .... they won't worry about sport .
From Greyhound Data website.
SOME 50 guests, including Merton and Wandsworth councillors, both Conservative and Labour, attended Thursday evening’s unveiling of Paschal’s Taggart’s revised plan to develop the Wimbledon Stadium site. The guests, who also included local businessmen, media, greyhound enthusiasts and industry professionals, were given a breakdown of the new facilities by architect Seamus McCloskey,
plus and an explanation of his vision by the would-be promoter.
The plans had been submitted to Merton Council the previous day, and Taggart and McCloskey had spent the afternoon with planning officers. Taggart said: “It was very productive. They wanted to go into some of the technical data for the site and require a report into the financial visibility of the site, all of which is understandable.
Councillor leader Stephen Alambritis (Labour) welcomed the Taggart initiative, which was part of the council’s ‘Call For Sites’. He stated that there appeared to be three potential plans being proposed. The other two, ‘Newridge’ and Galliard Homes, both included provision to include AFC Wimbledon. However, it was unclear whether either had made formal application by the February 27 deadline. As matters stand, the planners will consider the viability of any submissions and the planning committee are due to announce their preferred choice in December. In his speech, A lambritis had emphasised the importance of provision for ‘sports on the site, a point addressed by Mick Lowe, representing the on-site Christophers Squash Club. The club would benefit by a huge expansion under the Taggart plan to include dance studios, a gym and a greatly extended sports injury facility. Lowe admitted his intentions and ambitions were entirely ‘self serving’, stating “we will work whoever gives us the best deal”, but did confess that he was excited by the Taggart plan. He said: “We have 460 active users of the facilities at present, but we would envisage considerable expansion if the Taggart plan is accepted. “We would see a trebling of our gym usage, doubling of squash use. We would have much better facilities for schools and the elderly in the borough in terms of both dance and fitness. “On our projections, we would expect to have 140,000 active users of the facilities in a year which must represent a very major benefit for both Merton Wandsworth.” Lowe, who is also a fanatical AFC Wimbledon fan said: “We would love to see them back in the borough, but I’m a realist. I can’t see how the figures would add up for them to be here. In terms of what is best for the borough, the Taggart scheme is very compelling.” Leading owner Ray White said: “It looks a great plan. You always know you are up against it when you don’t own the site, but this is very badly needed.”
Former Wimbledon owner Len Ponder said: “Please God Paschal can make it happen. England and Ireland need him to succeed. It will be fantastic if he can land it.”
The meeting was organised by We Want Wimbledon committee members Diane McLean and John Waldron. McLean said: “The feedback was superb. We have been invited by the councillors, in whose ward the stadium is located, to a meeting of the local residents association. There seems a genuine local enthusiasm to make this
happen.
SOME 50 guests, including Merton and Wandsworth councillors, both Conservative and Labour, attended Thursday evening’s unveiling of Paschal’s Taggart’s revised plan to develop the Wimbledon Stadium site. The guests, who also included local businessmen, media, greyhound enthusiasts and industry professionals, were given a breakdown of the new facilities by architect Seamus McCloskey,
plus and an explanation of his vision by the would-be promoter.
The plans had been submitted to Merton Council the previous day, and Taggart and McCloskey had spent the afternoon with planning officers. Taggart said: “It was very productive. They wanted to go into some of the technical data for the site and require a report into the financial visibility of the site, all of which is understandable.
Councillor leader Stephen Alambritis (Labour) welcomed the Taggart initiative, which was part of the council’s ‘Call For Sites’. He stated that there appeared to be three potential plans being proposed. The other two, ‘Newridge’ and Galliard Homes, both included provision to include AFC Wimbledon. However, it was unclear whether either had made formal application by the February 27 deadline. As matters stand, the planners will consider the viability of any submissions and the planning committee are due to announce their preferred choice in December. In his speech, A lambritis had emphasised the importance of provision for ‘sports on the site, a point addressed by Mick Lowe, representing the on-site Christophers Squash Club. The club would benefit by a huge expansion under the Taggart plan to include dance studios, a gym and a greatly extended sports injury facility. Lowe admitted his intentions and ambitions were entirely ‘self serving’, stating “we will work whoever gives us the best deal”, but did confess that he was excited by the Taggart plan. He said: “We have 460 active users of the facilities at present, but we would envisage considerable expansion if the Taggart plan is accepted. “We would see a trebling of our gym usage, doubling of squash use. We would have much better facilities for schools and the elderly in the borough in terms of both dance and fitness. “On our projections, we would expect to have 140,000 active users of the facilities in a year which must represent a very major benefit for both Merton Wandsworth.” Lowe, who is also a fanatical AFC Wimbledon fan said: “We would love to see them back in the borough, but I’m a realist. I can’t see how the figures would add up for them to be here. In terms of what is best for the borough, the Taggart scheme is very compelling.” Leading owner Ray White said: “It looks a great plan. You always know you are up against it when you don’t own the site, but this is very badly needed.”
Former Wimbledon owner Len Ponder said: “Please God Paschal can make it happen. England and Ireland need him to succeed. It will be fantastic if he can land it.”
The meeting was organised by We Want Wimbledon committee members Diane McLean and John Waldron. McLean said: “The feedback was superb. We have been invited by the councillors, in whose ward the stadium is located, to a meeting of the local residents association. There seems a genuine local enthusiasm to make this
happen.
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