09 February 2023 , 18:56
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Eerie photos of an abandoned British stadium show it dilapidated - like a zombie apocalypse film set.
Manchester’s historic Belle Vue Stadium stood abandoned for years before it began to be turned into a housing estate, with the once iconic race track overgrown and its buildings crumbling.
The Stadium in Gorton opened in 1926 as a greyhound racing track, where it hosted the very first race around an oval track in Britain on July 24 of that year.
The Manchester venue went on to become a motorsport track, where it was used for motorcycle speedway, stock car racing and banger racing.
It was also the home ground of Elite League speedway team, the Belle Vue Aces.
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When it closed in 2020, Belle Vue Stadium stood abandoned, with its track lanes and stands overgrown with weeds, and its empty buildings, including the ticket and betting office, falling apart.
Belle Vue Stadium has been abandoned since 2020 (Exploring with Jake)Belle Vue is one of the most recognisable names in the world of motorsport, having dominated speedway in the early 70s, reports the Manchester Evening News.
After a torrid time since the turn of the millennium, the club appeared to be buoyed by the move into the National Speedway Stadium, inspiring them to the Elite League grand final in both 2015 and 2016.
But Manchester City Council did not renew its licence, after rent was not paid.
Inside one of the buildings situated around the race track (Exploring with Jake)
Tyres inside a storage building onsite (Exploring with Jake)Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Since taking control of the National Speedway Stadium in March this year, BV Arena Ltd have also failed to meet important requirements of their agreement, including paying any rent on the property to the City Council.
“As a result Manchester City Council, therefore, are unable to renew Belle Vue Aces licence to occupy the building in their current position.
The Stadium in Gorton opened in 1926 as a greyhound racing track where it hosted the very first race around an oval track in Britain (Exploring with Jake)"It has also come to light that the group companies have significant debt not only with the Council but also other parties.
“The BSPA and the City Council have been in regular dialogue over the situation and both parties remain absolutely committed to speedway in Manchester, but this must be a long-term and sustainable solution for the club to ensure that Belle Vue Aces continue as the city’s speedway team.
The racetrack appears overgrown (Exploring with Jake)“The City Council will now work closely with the BSPA to put in arrangements that can ensure the success of the National Speedway Stadium and develop speedway in Manchester."