Business leaders from the east midlands visited Nottingham Greyhound Stadium to learn about the sport’s present-day operation and how retired greyhounds make great pets.
More than 60 members of the East Midlands Chamber attended a midweek fixture at the Colwick Park venue as part of the chamber’s latest networking lunch which connects and champions local businesses and people.
It marked the second chamber event Nottingham had hosted since the track became a member last year, with free lunch plus tea and coffee provided to visitors.
Rachel Greenacre, Membership Account Manager at the East Midlands Chamber, said: “Greyhound racing has a distorted public perception – and we saw that among our members.
“We wanted to provide people with the opportunity to witness a race meeting first hand, meet those employed by the sport and learn about present-day regulation and new homing legislation.
“Every member learnt something new about the industry on the day.
“And, naturally, conversations turned to team nights out, hospitality bookings and Christmas reservations once people had taken time to consider how the sport operates and meet those behind its success.
“The track could not have done enough for us on the day.
“The stadium is a valuable member of the East Midlands Chamber, which relies on the generosity and goodwill of hosts so events can help prioritise our work to champion and support local businesses and people.”
In attendance on the day were volunteers from Home Run Hounds, one of Nottingham Stadium’s strategic homing partners.
The charity is the largest volunteer-led homing centre in the UK and operates six regional kennels covering the midlands, eastern counties, north-west and Essex.
As a GBGB approved homing centre, Home Run Hounds works in partnership with the racing sector and its Greyhound Retirement Scheme.
Launched in 2020, the scheme works by owners paying a £210 fee upon registering a greyhound for racing which is later matched by the GBGB. The £420 bond is then used to cover costs associated with a greyhound’s retirement and finding its forever home.
Tracey Parbery, co-founder of Home Run Hounds, said: “Retired greyhounds make the most wonderful pets.
“They are suitable for almost all environments, and we home to people of all ages, locations and backgrounds without discrimination.
“Our adoption donation request is £200, far less than the typical going rate for puppies of all other breeds. Greyhounds are calm, gentle, fantastic with children and – contrary to belief – require very minimal exercise.
“They are built for speed, not stamina. A greyhound is perhaps the laziest breed of dog a person could wish to own as people in greyhound racing will testify!”
Sarah Newman, Marketing and Communications Manager at Arena Racing Company, added: “Education is key.
“Especially in a world where publishing opinions as fact is becoming commonplace.
“We were so pleased 60 local businesses took time out of their schedules to learn about greyhound racing and our sport’s present-day operation as part of the chamber’s recent networking event.
“Events of this kind are crucial in the long-term future of greyhound racing and we hope to welcome the East Midlands Chamber back trackside in the future.”
Further information about the East Midlands Chamber is available online via www.emc-dnl.co.uk.
