Iconic Birmingham Wheels raceway could close

The motor sports park faces closures for not paying £800,000 in rent

Birmingham Wheels Raceway
Author: Mitch RushtonPublished 9th Jan 2020

Thousands of people visit the ground every year, as it hosts events like go-karting and stock-car racing.

Businesses at the raceway have been given until 31 January to leave the site by the City Council.

Many of them say it'll leave them "homeless" and claim they've been dragged into a dispute which isn't their fault.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the Save Birmingham Wheels group said:

"The council have used what seems to be a financial 'sleight-of-hand' to withdraw the long lease that the Birmingham Wheels Charity have on the venue, in order to re-possess the land and ultimately sell on to developers.

Over 200 people will lose their part and full-time jobs, and tens of thousands of drivers and fans will lose a precious and important part of their social and sporting lives."

A petition to save the site's gained more than 5,000 signatures with several of the firms who use it saying they've kept up with their own rent payments.

The council said rent to lease the sports park's not been paid by the charity responsible, Birmingham Wheels Ltd, and it'll work with companies affected to relocate.