THE RETURN of motorsport to Coventry Stadium in Brandon could be a step closer.
Rugby Borough Council’s Cabinet has agreed the next phase of work aimed at supporting the potential return of sport to the former home of the Coventry Bees speedway team.
The decision allows officers to undertake further preparatory work to assess whether there is a ‘realistic, lawful and financially sustainable’ route to bringing the stadium back into use for speedway, stock car racing and other sporting and community activities.
Since the stadium closed in 2016, the council has supported efforts to return the site to sporting use, and has explored options available to help secure its future.
The Cabinet’s decision allows further work to be carried out on issues including delivery models, governance arrangements, funding requirements, legal powers, procurement considerations and potential operating arrangements.
The council will also prepare for possible soft market testing to gague interest from organisations that may be able to help restore and operate the venue.
Coun Sam Edwards, the council’s spokesperson for Environment and Climate, said: “Coventry Stadium is an important sporting venue with a proud history and many people want to see racing return to the site.
“Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to exploring what role the council can play in helping secure the future of the stadium and supporting its potential return to sporting use.
“This decision allows us to carry out the detailed work needed to understand whether there is a realistic and sustainable route forward.
“We are not making a final decision on acquisition, compulsory purchase or future operation of the site. However, we are taking the next practical steps to ensure that, if there is a viable opportunity to bring the stadium back into use, the council is in the best possible position to consider it.”
Since 2022, the council has been examining options that could support the restoration of Coventry Stadium as a motorsport venue – including exploring acquisition opportunities, assessing legal powers available to the authority and considering how any future operation of the stadium might be delivered.
The council’s emerging Local Plan supports the restoration of the stadium for speedway, stock car racing and associated community uses, reflecting the site’s historic role in local and regional sport.
