Lakeside Karting on Grays’ A1306 Arterial Road will close today, September 23, after opening in September 2002.
The South-East’s largest and fastest outdoor karting circuit welcomed thousands of visitors, from families and beginners to competitive racers.
Upon announcing the closure, a spokesman said it was a difficult decision after “a lot of years, a lot of laps and a lot of memories”.
The spokesman said the team wanted to spend its final weeks doing what it did best – racing – and invited past customers back for one last visit.
The venue hosted birthday parties, group outings and regular racers, many of whom returned for a final send-off before it closed.
Lakeside Karting will close, but Brentwood Karting remains open for anyone wanting to keep racing.
No official reason for the closure has been confirmed.
However, the site has been earmarked for redevelopment, with Google planning a new data centre at the former Arena Essex Raceway.
Conservation groups such as Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust have warned the project could lead to the loss of 32 acres of a designated local wildlife site, home to rare plants, birds, bees, and butterflies.
The proposal, near the M25/A13 junction, is known as the Thurrock Data Centre and is still being considered by Thurrock Council through the planning process after being submitted in 2025.
Planning documents indicate up to four data centre buildings plus a separate office building, with a total floorspace of around 130,500 sq m.