'Boxing club stops people going down wrong path'

Emma Judd says everyone is welcome at the club

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

Mr Borg, who has been a member of Broad Street Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) in Shadwell for more than 10 years, said the organisation stopped people from "going down the wrong path".

The club, which has existed for 138 years, trains young people free of charge.

It was operating under a 60-year protected lease that cost £110 a year, but is now facing a rent rise of more than £60,000, the Local Democracy Reporter Scheme said.

Members get free training but must commit to five session a week

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said it was keen to work with the club to reach an "amicable solution".

Mr Borg said he saw the club as his home and counted the coaches and other boxers as his family.

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

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

“It’s one of those spaces where it doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, what religion you are or anything, everyone is welcome," she said.

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

Head coach Ray McCallum said the club was a community asset

Head coach Ray McCallum said charging members was not an option because a lot of young people at the club came from low-income backgrounds and were growing up in some of the most deprived areas in London.

“I just don’t think the council has taken into account what we’ve been doing and the service that we provide," Mr McCallum said. "It’s always been free.

“Ideally we want to stay here. This is where we’ve been since 1957.

“I think it would be a travesty if the gym was to close, but we won’t let it. We’re a community asset."

The club's lease ran out in 2017 and it has tried to negotiate a new lease with the council.

Tower Hamlets Council proposed a new annual rent of £64,000 as part of a 15-year lease. It also offered a three to five-year lease at an 80% discount, but the club rejected the deal because it did not offer long-term security.

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

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: "Because of [the club's] preference, we are required to go through the court process for the market rent to be determined.

“There is a range of support and funding options available for community groups and officers will liaise with the club to help them access these.”