CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR A SIX-MONTH PAUSE IN THE CLOSURE OF THIS KEY CENTRAL LONDON COMMUNITY FACILITY

The Central YMCA Club has been sold in a secret deal to real estate company Criterion Capital. The Club – which is the world’s first YMCA and the largest gym and wellbeing centre in central London – is expected to close its doors on 7 February 2025.

None of the 3,600 club members, staff, University College Hospital or the 39 organisations, including many schools, who regularly use the Club facilities were consulted. None of Camden and Westminster Councils, the Greater London Authority, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, or local Constituency MPs, were informed in advance of the sale.

In response, the Save the Central YMCA Club campaign is proposing a six-month pause in the closure of the Club to enable all stakeholders to find ways for this key West End facility to be retained. This has been rejected by Central YMCA Club management without discussion.

The campaign group is now turning to the buyers of the site for support in seeking a positive outcome for all parties.

Criterion Capital recently generously sponsored an event for Soho Parish School, which uses the Central YMCA Club for physical education and swimming lessons. Criterion Capital’s brochure stated:

‘Criterion Capital plays a vital role in enhancing community life in the West End and beyond.’

The Save the Central YMCA Club campaign is now calling on Criterion Capital to assist in playing this ‘vital role’ by bringing stakeholders together for a six-month pause to the closure of the Club.

This will enable this key West End facility to continue to ‘enhance community life in the West End and beyond’ and to thrive in a sustainable form.

The campaign’s recent Deputation to an overcrowded Council Chamber received the unanimous support of Councillors and the support of Camden Council, with a unique standing ovation.

Campaign spokesman David Bieda said:

“Our proposal to Central YMCA Club management for a six-month pause in closure was, in our view, a sensible first step towards finding a solution for all parties.

“By rejecting our proposal, it appears that not only are the management intent on shutting down their operation of the Club, they are also seeking to destroy the chances of anyone else saving it.

“We hope Criterion Capital, its founder and CEO Asif Aziz, and the other members of the Aziz family who lead the business, recognise that they have not simply acquired another chunk of real estate.

“They have acquired one of the most important community facilities in the West End, which since 1911 has touched the lives of tens of thousands of people, numerous schools, dozens of community organisations and a major hospital.

“Were Criterion Capital to do something unusual and use their expertise to help the Central YMCA Club continue in a financially viable form, they would become London heroes.

“We believe that working collaboratively, taking an innovative can-do approach, we could revitalise the Club’s facilities and services in a form benefiting all involved.

“I am confident that this action would be welcomed by our local Members of Parliament, Camden and Westminster Councils, not to mention the tens of thousands of users for whom the Central YMCA Club is more than just a gym. 

“Where there is a will, there is a way.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Proposed six-month pause in closure

The purpose of the proposed six-month pause in closure is to allow time for all parties to develop a rescue plan that enables Club facilities, services and community activities to continue in a sustainable way in the longer term.

The rationale for the pause is that the closure was announced with no forewarning or consultation, a lack of information and inadequate notice – thereby making it impossible for interested parties to develop a viable solution. In addition, the rushed closure risks stranding users for whom Central YMCA has not made provision elsewhere.

Central YMCA Club

Located off Tottenham Court Road in the heart of London, the Central YMCA Club uniquely hosts a vast range of inter-related activities for people of all ages, from toddlers to over 60s, in a single building. The Club includes a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall, and extensive exercise, wellbeing, social and educational spaces. The Club has 3,600 members and supports one of the most significant older adults’ programmes in the UK.

Central YMCA is home to more than 20 clubs and organisations, comprising a total of more than 10,000 regular users. The Club is also depended upon by the LGBTQIA+ community, notably for its Positive Health programme started in 1997 for exercise and HIV referral. The Club hosts University College Hospital’s musculoskeletal, lower limb and cardiac rehabilitation classes, and a Stroke Support Group. These groups (many with hundreds of members) benefit from dedicated provision on a single site.

Central YMCA also provides essential services to ten local schools, including physical education lessons, swimming provision, playschemes and after-school clubs. These schools in the centre of London lack the space, facilities and educators that the Central YMCA Club offers.

Central YMCA’s website states:

Our Central London venue is our flagship centre for education, health and wellbeing – and is home to YMCA Club, the largest gym facility in central London.

Being healthy and feeling good is about more than physical fitness. That’s why we take the holistic approach; looking after the mind, body and spirit.

Don’t be surprised to see reflexology and meditation offered alongside personal training sessions. Or a community choir running side-by-side with fitness classes.

We’re building a happier, healthier, more connected community that all Londoners can benefit from. Join us. Everyone is welcome; all ages, all backgrounds, all fitness levels.

For more information and images, or to arrange an interview with campaign spokespeople, please contact media@savetheymcaclub.org

MEMBERS’ CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CENTRAL YMCA CLUB BUILDS MOMENTUM

Members of the Central YMCA Club have launched a campaign organising committee to coordinate opposition to the sale of London’s biggest gym, health and wellbeing centre. The group gained its first major success when a member-led deputation received unanimous support and endorsement, and a standing ovation, from Camden Council’s Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee.

In front of more than 120 members filling the public gallery and spilling over into the Council chamber itself, the Committee publicly committed its support for the campaign to save the Central YMCA Club, which is the world’s first YMCA. The meeting had to be moved from a committee room to the chamber to accommodate all those wishing to attend.

The Committee also pledged to exercise its influence to ensure the Club’s amenities are retained for the health and well-being of local people, visitors and the many schools and community groups among its regular users. The Committee Chair commented on the visible strength of support for the campaign shown by Central YMCA Club members.

A petition to the Mayor of London and Camden Council organised by the campaign group has attracted almost 5,000 signatures inside a week. And more than 250 Club members have come forward to assist the campaign, angered at a decision made to sell the club without any consultation.

“The Central YMCA Club provides essential services to people of all ages and a hugely diverse range of backgrounds,” says campaign spokesperson David Bieda. “The sale of the building to a real estate investor for redevelopment as a hotel reflects a growing trend where London’s community spaces, youth clubs, health facilities and swimming pools are being threatened at an alarming rate.

“We have gathered significant professional expertise to lead our campaign and protect this vital asset in the heart of London for current and future generations.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Central YMCA Club at 112 Great Russell Street, WC1, opened in 1977 on the site of a previous YMCA building. The club includes a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and extensive exercise, well-being and social spaces. The building has been sold by Central YMCA to real estate investors Criterion Capital.

The ‘Save Central YMCA Club’ petition is at change.org/p/save-central-ymca-club and the campaign website is at www.savetheymcaclub.org

Camden Council’s Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting can be viewed at www.civico.net/camden/19669-Culture-and-Environment-Scrutiny-Committee

For more information and images, or to arrange an interview with campaign spokespeople, please contact media@savetheymcaclub.org