One of Birmingham's famous greyhound racing tracks will close in the same month it celebrates its 90th birthday as it suffers from dwindling attendances.

Hall Green will host its last race meeting on July 29 so it can make way for a new housing estate.

Last year, planning permission was awarded to Euro Property Investments, which bought the site in 2014, to demolish the stadium and a 48-bedroom hotel and replace them with up to 210 new houses.

GRA, which operates Hall Green and its sister site in Perry Barr, has a 15-year lease on the ten-acre site which runs until 2028 but the tenancy contains a break clause at five years.

Chief executive Clive Feltham said: "We are sad to announce that, due to financial circumstances, Hall Green will close for business after the race meeting on Saturday July 29.

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"Since our landlord has applied for and been successful in obtaining planning consent for housing, attendances have been significantly affected.

"The landlord has also confirmed that he will be exercising the break clause in the lease.

"Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service has also been concerned with the uncertainty and have decided to relocate the fixtures to Perry Barr.

"With these significant changes, we have no option but to take the decision to cease business.

Racing at Hall Green Stadium
Racing at Hall Green Stadium

"Our trainers will be offered the opportunity to move to Perry Barr, our staff have been advised and we are starting consultation with them."

Hall Green Stadium opened in 1927 as the first greyhound track in Birmingham and hosted speedway races between 1928 and 1938.

It has a capacity of 2,700 and also houses a snooker club, bar, restaurant and 48-bedroom hotel.

Estimates suggest around 200 staff are employed there but it is not known at this stage if any of them will be able to transfer over to Perry Barr.

Objectors against the demolition plans said the housing project would result in the loss of a community asset while supporters have cited the city's dire housing shortage.

In June last year, city councillors initially deferred the proposal by Euro Property Investments on three key grounds - loss of community facility, loss of jobs and low affordable housing provision.

But they were forced to backtrack a month later when they were warned the authority would probably lose and incur legal costs if the developer lodged an appeal.