Closure blow for Newbiggin-by-the-Sea boxing club

Nov 22 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

A FLOURISHING boxing club has another fight on its hands after being told it must get out of its home of 21 years within weeks.

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea boxing club in Northumberland has forged a national reputation for the quality of its young fighters since being set up in November 1987.

A year ago it was on the canvas when its training gym to the rear of the New Dolphin pub was badly damaged after a car was set on fire outside the building, forcing it to move temporarily to the village's sports and community centre.

The club battled back to its feet, but was shocked when a notice was pinned to the gym door on Wednesday – without any prior warning – saying it has to quit the premises within 14 days, as the pub is being sold by owner Admiral Taverns.

Yesterday defiant officials vowed they would not allow the shock news to deliver a knockout blow, and pledged that the 23-member club will continue its good work with local youngsters well into the future. The club has produced a number of talented young boxers.

Next month Carly Weallens, 17, will represent England in the European Union championships in Bulgaria and last year Matty Wall, 16, was selected for the England squad. This weekend Lewis Scott, 15, son of the club's head coach Paul Scott, will fight in the national finals in Essex.

Yesterday Paul said: “This notice to quit has come as a complete shock to us and is a massive blow because we have been in our gym for 21 years this month.

“We are back up and running now after last year's fire and everything was going well until this came along. The notice pinned to the door said we had to be out within 14 days, but we have managed to extend that to December 17.

“The club is going to continue whatever happens ... We now have a massive reputation around the country. Our building is part of the New Dolphin pub and the new buyer obviously wants vacant possession. We have investigated buying the gym in the past but Admiral Taverns has never taken us seriously.

“Wansbeck District Council has offered us support both in the short and long term and we will be moving to Newbiggin leisure centre, which could become our permanent home.”

A council spokesman said the club would be offered temporary accommodation at Newbiggin sports and community centre until its long-term future was sorted out.

No-one from Admiral Taverns responded to a request for comment.

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