Construction begins on £1.9m boxing gym

Boxers, coaches and supporters gathered to break the ground of the new boxing gym

Construction has begun on a new £1.9m home for a boxing club, which members have said offers them a "second family".

It is hoped South Cheshire Boxing Club's new facility on Mirion Street in Crewe will attract new members when it opens in March 2025.

"I just love the community. It's not just a boxing club, it's a family," the 12-year-old member Tyler beamed.

"It's all about these guys, that's what motivates us," said Crewe Youth Club chairman Mike Morris of the young boxers.

The 1.13-acre site for the new gym was the home of the Crewe and District Youth Centre, opened in 1964.

In 2014, the building was destroyed by a fire, the estate fell into disrepair and there have been incidents of arson, rough sleeping and drug use on the derelict land ever since.

Funding for the new facility includes £732,000 from the Crewe Towns Fund, which attracted a further £820,622 from the government's Youth Investment Fund, though other groups have also contributed.

John, 11, praised the mental health benefits of the club: "It takes your mind off things. Say you've had a bad day at school, you can take all your anger out on the bags."

But the club's existing base has it's limitations, 11-year-old Malik said "we need a lot more space in our gym," adding: "Our two rings that we have take up all the space."

Having given his input to the design of the new building, 15-year-old Harvey believes it will be "one of the best clubs around."