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Campaigners take YMCA closure fight to High Court

Victoria Cook
BBC London
A recent protest against plans to sell off the YMCA saw club members form a flash mob and dance to the 1978 hit Y.M.C.A. by the Village People

A campaign to save the world's first YMCA, which also houses central London's largest gym, is heading to the High Court.

Members were told the club, located off Tottenham Court Road in central London, was due to close in February after being sold to a real estate company.

Patrick Joy - a retired postman and a member of the club - has made an application for an injunction at the High Court as an individual, on the grounds the closure could impact his "health and welfare".

YMCA said it would not comment ahead of the court hearing and Criterion Capital has been approached for comment.

Outside the central London YMCA. A red sign above the entrance says YMCA - and world's first YMCA
Central London's YMCA is due to close on 7 February

Speaking to BBC Radio London, Mr Joy said he hoped the injunction would force the YMCA and the new owners to enter talks with the campaigners to discuss a solution for the community and to get "evidence and answers".

He said going to the High Court was the only option as "all attempts to negotiate have been stonewalled."

Asked why the club was so important, the 74-year-old said the facility offers health benefits for the community.

He said he was originally sent there by his doctor after developing diabetes. He later developed arthritis and used the centre for rehabilitation.

"The loss of this facility will just put pressure back on the NHS. The poor people will have to join a long queue again, rather than using the facilities at the YMCA," he added.

He said if plans to redevelop the site go ahead, members and the local community "will have a great facility torn away from them.

"Other gyms could charge £70 a month, if I pay that I'm not exercising my body, I'm exercising my bank account".

Save Central YMCA Patrick Joy looks to camera with a serious face and is wearing an orange cardigan and black-rimmed glasses. He is a man in his 70's. Save Central YMCA
Patrick Joy said the news of the sale of the site and closure of the club came as a "complete surprise and a crushing blow" to him

Campaign group Save Central YMCA said the club provided "extensive exercise, wellbeing, social and educational spaces for the community, local schools and health providers".

The group hoped an injunction would lead to a six-month pause in the closure so parties could discuss a solution.

In addition to its 3,600 members and 10,000 regular users, the facility supports one of the most significant older adults' programmes in the UK, spokesman David Bieda said.

In December, YMCA chief executive Ryan Palmer said the sale would allow the organisation "to reinvest in more sustainable, impactful, and forward-looking ways".

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