Ryde Boxing club has been served a legal notice by the council that will lead to the club having to leave their home for the last 17 years, the Westridge Centre in Ryde.
The club are shocked that, after being there for so many years, the council has decided to not let them continue to rent the building.
The council have told the boxing club that they will need to be out of the premises by 3lst March 2012.
No alternative offered
In a hand-written note (below), the boxing club points out that they have never defaulted on a rent payment and that the council has not offered them any alternative premises (the council disputes this).
Highlighting the good work done by the club over the last 17 years, the beautifully-hand-written note says …
“The club has done a lot for the people of Ryde, which includes disadvantaged and disabled youngsters, young people sent by the police or school who need discipline, guidance in their lives, keeping them fit and giving them respect for themselves and others.”
Details of the notice
In a notice, sent to VentnorBlog by the club, the council, as landlord, has issued a “notice ending a business tenancy and reasons for refusing a new one.”
The “notice relates to the following property: The Boxing Club Premises, car park space & lock-up garage; Westridge, Brading Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight”.
It says that the council is “opposed to the grant of a new tenancy.”
Council says it would oppose appeals to the court
One section makes it clear that the council will oppose any steps by the boxing club to appeal to the courts …
You may ask the court to order the grant of a new tenancy.
- If you do, I will oppose your application on the grounds mentioned in paragraphs (0 and (g) of section 30(1) of that Act. I draw your attention to the Table in the Notes below, which sets out all the grounds of opposition.
- If you wish to ask the court for a new tenancy you must do so before the date in paragraph 2 unless, before that date, we agree in writing to a later date.
The notice is signed off by Barry Cooke, Strategic Manager – Assets.
Update 09:49 We contacted the council for their response to the story. Here’s what they sent VB …
Lee Matthews, Recreation & Public Spaces Manager said “Ryde Boxing Club have been unable to pay for repairs to the roof of the building they use at Westridge. We have tried to help the club seek external grants to help but unfortunately this proved unsuccessful, Because of this, the council has been offering support to the club to find alternative premises and we have given them six months notice.
“The existing building at Westridge will be refurbished as part of the council’s leisure refurbishment programme and turned into a new, large Tone Zone gym with 40 separate pieces of equipment, while the existing Tone Zone will be converted into a squash court.
“However, a group of martial arts clubs are working with the council to move to new premises in Ryde. We are hopeful that the boxing club can work with the current users and be part of that potential move.”
Hand-written note from the Boxing club
Click on images for full-sized version.
Image: f-oxymoron under a CC BY 2.0 license
