THE OXFORD PAPER O Your guide for your
Thursday, April 5, 2018 No.86
theoxfordpaper.co.uk
60p
ut& About
leisure time in & arou
nd Oxfordshire
Weekly leisure guide for in & Don’t whisper around it, shout it... Oxford Bob Harris is at the
Robbo rallies his troops Join Bubble Rush for Flytipper caught in the Page 16 after poor run Page 7 charity Sport act
Cornerstone
Good Vibrations set to hit Cropredy Festival
Historic, much-loved venue ‘could reopen for business’ Return for speedway and dogs By George Welch SPEEDWAY and greyhound racing could return to the ‘iconic’ Oxford Stadium after a ‘milestone’ report claimed it has a ‘viable’ future. Consultants said last week that “a commercially viable solution” could be found for the Cowley arena, which last enjoyed professional sport in 2012. Oxford City Council, which commissioned the report, has been told that a fully functioning stadium has the potential to create 62 full-time jobs and generate more than £3.1million for Oxfordshire’s economy. Consultants added the re-opening would ‘enhance’ the stadium’s status as a community asset. Councillor Linda Smith, deputy leader of the city council and board member for leisure, parks and sport, welcomed the report. “This is an important milestone in the future development of Oxford Stadium,” she said. “This report shows how with the right investment, and support from the governing bodies of greyhound racing and speedway, and local people, this historic and much-loved venue could re-open for business as a major sports and hospitality centre, while also maintaining community uses.” Cllr Smith, who represents nearby Blackbird Leys, added: “I accept a lot
more work needs to be done to firm up the future of the stadium but I know bringing it back to life would be welcomed by the people of Oxford. “Many Oxford families, especially in the Leys area of the city, have supported it for decades. “The return of motor sport [speedway] in a city renowned for its motor manufacturing would be both apt and symbolic.” The consultants’ report looked at the commercial opportunities, challenges associated with re-introducing greyhound racing and speedway as well as expanding what it could provide in the form of other leisure activities. The city council has now commissioned stage two of the study, which will flesh out the commercial options and should be completed by the summer. Key parties in greyhound racing and speedway as well as community groups such as Save our Stadium, will be consulted in the next stage. Oxford Stadium hosted the two sports for more than 70 years, from 1939 until 2012, but has been untouched since then after developers were refused permission to build housing. Consultants have stressed several key challenges need to be overcome, including the creation of a new Oxford speedway team and its benefit as a non-race day venue.
MASSIVE OAK AND PINE SALE NOW ONLINE AND IN STORE!
Follow the trail for a grand day at the Westgate SHOPPERS can enjoy a Grand Day Out after Gromit was spotted in the Westgate. Models of the much-loved dog by fans of Wallace and Gromit are on show at the £440m centre as part of a special Gromit trail. Fans of the clay animation comedy series, created by Nick Park, can buy a Gromit Unleashed map for £2 and follow the Easter trail of 10 sculptures throughout the centre. Proceeds from the map trail will go towards the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity’s Grand Appeal. Aardman Animations, which produces the Wallace and Gromit films, is based in Bristol. Gromit will be in town until April 15.
Amelie had a hands on experience with a giant Gromit statue on her visit Picture: Karen Dunkley
SALE ENDING SOON!
HOMELY FURNITURE 2 GO See our fantastic new website at
www.homelyfurniture2go.co.uk
68a Brize Norton Road,Minster Lovell,Near Witney OX29 0SG Tel: 01993 864999