Coventry Bees offered new lease for Brandon Stadium

The Coventry Bees speedway team had been facing their last season at the stadium after it had been sold for development. But after Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, opened talks between the Bees and agents acting for the new landowners, the owners have offered the Bees a new lease to allow the team to continue competing next season while they search for a new site.

The new lease would run for one year from 1 January 2017, with the possibility of a further two years subject to conditions. The lease would allow Coventry Bees, junior race meetings and stock car or banger racing meetings. Additional events would be subject to individual agreement.

David Hargreaves, of FHP Property Consultants, acting on behalf of the stadium owners, said: “The pragmatic approach taken by Cllr Stokes has convinced the owners that a further period of time should be provided for the speedway team to find an alternative venue.

“There is no doubt that this deal would not have been possible without the involvement of the borough council.”

Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “It is clear that the situation the Bees and the other stadium users find themselves in is not ideal, but the lease that has been offered to them is a good compromise that will allow speedway and stock car racing to continue at Brandon for at least another year.

“I would like to thank FHP for their efforts in brokering this agreement, and for the time and trouble that they have gone to in putting this offer together.

“Additionally I would like to thank Mick Horton of the Coventry Bees for the part he has played in allowing this offer to be made.

After meeting fans groups earlier this year and hearing their concerns first hand, I am delighted to have been able to bring all of the interested parties together to allow an offer to be made.”

Mick Horton, of Coventry Speedway, said: “While the long-term future of the Coventry Bees is still a concern, there can be no doubt that this offer has given the speedway team some security in the short-term.

“Our next home fixtures against Leicester, Swindon, Lakeside and Kings Lynn had looked like being our last. Now, however, our fans can support the team knowing that there is an offer on the table that will allow another full season at Brandon Stadium.”