Peterborough Panthers 'too big' to be left homeless, says former promoter
The club's contract with their East of England Showground home is due to end
A former promoter at the Peterborough Panthers speedway team believes the club is too well-known internationally to be without a home.
Tonight's Sports Insure Premiership meeting with King's Lynn Stars is the Panthers' final home league fixture this season.
But it's also due to be the final league meeting at their East of England Showground home amid plans to redevelop the area including 1,500 homes and a ÂŁ50 million leisure village.
A club statement on the Panthers' website said it is "highly unlikely" that their stadium contract, due to expire at the end of October, will be renewed and that this season "would very likely be the last at this venue".
Mick Bratley is a former Panthers promoter and fan:
“This is a club that is on the world stage, that is broadcast live to Australia, New Zealand, America, everywhere; this club puts the city on the map and it’s a successful club," he said.
“People in Peterborough want something to do; the city centre is a cultural desert, people want to come to the showground and it would be a tragedy that this would go.”
“My main objection is there’s been no thought given to the speedway; there’s no word on what’s going to happen to the speedway club and where they’re going to go.
“It makes me very angry and given they’ve not got planning approval, I see no reason why the club couldn’t carry on for another two to three years."
What are the plans?
Developers Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) have submitted two applications for the 165-acre East of England Showground site.
One of those plans is for 650 homes while the other is for up to 850 homes, including a hotel, restaurants, family entertainment centre and a care home.
The plans were submitted to Peterborough City Council earlier this year but have not yet been approved.
What has the developer said?
AEPG said it has been in touch with Buster Chapman, owner of Peterborough Panthers, and the team since 2019 when the site was put up for sale.
The developer cited reasons such as falling attendances, events not being "commercially viable" and that other events at the Showground have been ceased.
A spokesperson for AEPG said: "We understand the disappointment at the imminent closure of the East of England Showground in its current form.
"But a continuation of speedway at the showground is not an option and will definitely cease at the end of this season.
"This is irrespective of the future development, planning applications and temporary use of part of the site by DHL.
"Running speedway on this site is simply no longer viable."
What happens next?
A statement issued on the Panthers' website today said the club will be trying to keep speedway in Peterborough.
"We have always been aware, as tenants, that this season would very likely be the last at the venue, and that the long-term future of the club needs to be elsewhere," the statement read.
"This situation has not changed, and it will remain the case whoever is at the forefront of the club.
"It should be clear that simply selling the club will not solve the fundamental issue of the need for a place to race."
The club is planning a farewell meeting at the Showground for a date yet to be confirmed.