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YMCA closure campaigners lose High Court battle

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

Campaigners fighting to save the world's first YMCA, which also houses central London's largest gym, have lost their High Court battle.

Patrick Joy - a retired postman and a member of the club - made an application for an injunction as an individual when it was announced the club, located off Tottenham Court Road in central London, was due to close in February after being sold to a real estate company.

At the High Court Mr Justice Trower decided not to grant the injunction, partly due to a shortage of evidence to support Mr Joy's intended cause of action.

YMCA and Criterion Capital have 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

Mr Joy had submitted the application on the grounds the closure could impact his "health and welfare".

Speaking following the ruling, campaign group Save Central YMCA said the judge "was unable to grant an interim injunction due to a shortage of evidence to support Mr Joy's intended cause of action, and also Mr Joy's inability to compensate the Central YMCA charity later on if it turned out that an interim injunction should not have been granted".

Campaign spokesman David Bieda said the group was "immensely proud" of Mr Joy's action.

He said: "Our campaign will continue with the same dedication, energy and attention to detail that we have shown so far. Rest assured we will subject to scrutiny all future planning processes regarding the Great Russell Street site."

Before the hearing, Mr Joy told BBC Radio London 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."

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

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

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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