Harringay Arena was a sporting and events venue. Built in 1936 by Alfred Critchley who had, in 1927, built the open-air Harringay Stadium, a major greyhound racing and motorcycle speedway venue. The Arena was built next to that.
The Arena was a large indoor stadium seating 10,000 and designed for ice hockey, which was then becoming popular. Its other main intended use was for boxing, and it was the venue for a number of World title fights. Also used for concerts, circuses and 1949-58 the Horse of the Year Show. For the 1948 Olympics it was the venue for the basketball and other indoor events. For 12 weeks in 1954 it was used for Billy Graham's London Crusade.
My London explains that Critchley took a gamble on ice hockey becoming as popular here as in the States, and initially the Arena did well, but WW2 intervened and post-war the sport never recovered its popularity. The Arena closed in 1958, was used as a warehouse for 20 years, was demolished in 1978 and replaced with industrial units.
The Stadium closed in 1987 and was replaced with Sainsbury's supermarket.
More information and lots of photos at Haringey Arena and Stadium.
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