Central London YMCA closes after failed injunction

A YMCA on the site of the charity's first purpose-built centre is set to close for good on Friday.

The club on Great Russell Street, which also houses central London's largest gym, was sold to real estate company Criterion Capital last year.

The closure follows a failed High Court injunction application by club member Patrick Joy.

Ryan Palmer, YMCA CEO, said: "It is with a heavy heart that we close the doors for the final time."

"We are deeply saddened at the closure of our Great Russell Street site, and recognise the loss to the local community," he said.

"The site has supported positive change for so many individuals over the years."

The club, which had 3,600 members and 10,000 regular users, blamed demographic changes, the age of the building and soaring maintenance costs for the sale.

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

The injunction to keep it open was rejected at the High Court after Mr Justice Trower decided there was a shortage of evidence to support Mr Joy's intended cause of action.

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

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

Central YMCA will still offer facilities at its sites in Moorgate and King's Cross.

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