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may have been nearly 80 years since seven greyhounds first
leapt out of the traps at Belle Vue Stadium [map],
but Manchester is still as keen on the sport now as it
was back then.
The stadium’s opening night in July 1926 saw the
birth of new Great British sport as the dogs raced to
catch the first electric hare in front of a 1,700-strong
crowd.
In previous years, the sport was seen as the poor relation
to horse racing, but times have changed now and visitors
to tracks around the country include film stars and sports
personalities.
But the real stars are out on the track, as greyhounds
travel at breathtaking speeds – covering 500 metres
in around 30 seconds.
The game has undoubtedly become a top sporting attraction
in Manchester with people travelling from around the North
West just to enjoy a night at the dogs. And there’s
more to it than just trying to win a few bob, it’s
a great night of entertainment with luxury and style now
part of the game.
At Belle Vue, on the outskirts of Manchester city centre,
you can enjoy the dog racing while you dine in the glass-fronted Grandstand Restaurant. It's non-stop action all
the way from the comfort of a top-class restaurant, and
with table tote betting and a full drinks service, the
only time you have to leave your seat is to cheer your
winner home.
The restaurant has seating for more than 400 people so
it’s the perfect destination for a stag night, birthday
celebration or work’s do.
Belle Vue Stadium also has two exclusive executive suites,
where you can impress that new business client or finish
a deal while cheering on your chosen greyhound. For those
who prefer to concentrate on the matter of betting –
and winning – without all the extras, the general
grandstand, with a 4,100-crowd capacity, is the place
for you.
It has a variety of bars and fast food outlets for you
to use as well as a tote betting service. From here you
can get easy access to outside with a great view of the
track so you don’t miss any of the action.
Greyhound races at Belle Vue take place on Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday and on selected Sundays throughout
the year, with races taking place every 15 minutes.
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