‘Boxing club prevents people from going astray’

“It’s there to help boys get off the streets,” says Tommy Borg, who trains at a boxing club in east London that is under threat of closure.

Mr Borg, who has been a member of the Broad Street Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) in Shadwell for more than 10 years, said the organization prevents people from “going the wrong way”.

The club, which has been in existence for 138 years, provides free education to young people.

It was operating under a 60-year protected lease costing £110 a year but now faces a rent increase of more than £60,000. Local Democracy Reporter Program in question.

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesman said they were willing to work with the club to reach an “amicable solution”.

Mr Borg said he considered the club his home and the coaches and other boxers his family.

“A lot of kids go down the wrong path, but when you find a club that wants to make sure you do well, you always tend to head down the right path,” he said.

Broad Street boxer Emma Judd said joining the club had helped her confidence.

“This is one of those places where it doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, what your religion is or anything, everyone is welcome,” he said.

Members train five nights a week and are required to go for a 30-minute run every morning.

Head coach Ray McCallum said charging members was not an option as many young people at the club come from low-income backgrounds and grew up in some of the poorest areas of London.

“I don’t think the council takes into account what we do and the service we provide,” Mr McCallum said. “It was always free.

“Ideally, we want to stay here. We’ve been here since 1957.

“I think it would be ridiculous to close the gym, but we won’t allow it. We are a community asset.”

The club’s contract expired in 2017 and it attempted to negotiate a new contract with the council.

Tower Hamlets Council has proposed a new annual rent of £64,000 as part of a 15-year lease. He also offered a three-to-five-year loan at an 80% discount, but the club rejected the deal because it offered no long-term security.

The club said it was prepared to pay annual rent of £20,000 under a 30-year lease, but this was rejected by the council.

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesman said: “Due to (the club’s) choice, we have to go through the court process to determine the market rent.

“A range of support and funding options are available to community groups and officers will liaise with the club to help them access these.”