YMCA closure protested by Village People flash mob

The world's first YMCA, which houses central London's largest gym, is due to close in February after being sold to a real estate company.

The club, near Tottenham Court Road, blamed demographic changes, the age of the building and soaring maintenance costs.

Jenny - a member for 20 years - said it was a vital resource and it was "inconceivable" it would be shut.

Club members formed a flash mob on Thursday and danced to the 1978 hit Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, to oppose Criterion Capital's plans.

Jenny and Susie have been using the YMCA for decades

Jenny, who was in the flash mob, stressed the club's importance to people's mental health: "We're going to burden the NHS further if this closes."

The Save the Central YMCA Club, which organised the dance protest, are campaigning for a six-month pause in the closure.

Campaigners said the delay was intended to give stakeholders time to come together to enable it "to thrive in a sustainable form".

The YMCA on Great Russell Street has a 25m (82ft) swimming pool with a sauna and steam room, six exercise studios and a cycling studio, offering more than 125 classes each week.

Susie, 81, who was also in attendance at the flash mob, has been using the YMCA since she was 18.

She said: "What everybody wants is to have this facility stay open and to have the swimming pool, which is so useful to people who are older to do exercise.

"There are an enormous number of people who are 50-plus and here there are so many classes to keep you moving - over 900 people are senior members."

'Serve new communities'

Originally opened in 1911, the YMCA building was used as a shelter in World War Two before being demolished and rebuilt in the 1970s.

Andrew Shields from the Save the Central YMCA campaign, said members were "absolutely motivated into action" to do a flash mob using the "most iconic tune" to raise awareness.

Last month, YMCA chief executive Ryan Palmer said in a statement: "I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the club over the years.

"This sale will allow us to reinvest in more sustainable, impactful, and forward-looking ways of broadening our service provision, better serving both existing and new communities."

The central London venue's last day of trading will be 7 February but it is understood Central YMCA will still offer facilities at its sites in Moorgate and King's Cross.

Criterion Capital has been approached for comment.