Parents, athletes and the local community come together to show their support for the #SaveELGC Campaign.
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The East London Gymnastics Centre (ELGC) which now risks closure, is an “irreplaceable venue”, says its local community. ELGC was established in 1997 with lottery funding and support from Sport England.
The charity, which leases the centre, has received an eviction notice. The building’s freeholder has sold it to housing developers Linea Homes, which has since partnered with Galliard Homes.
More than 2,500 athletes train at the centre each week, benefiting from the country’s leading coaching in gymnastics, which has produced many GB Team members and Olympians. The site also provides teaching in Karate, Taekwondo, Areal skills, and wellness classes.
East London Gymnastics Centre serves about 2,500 people weekly for gymnastics, martial arts and other community activities. (ELGC).
How will the eviction impact gymnastics and elite sports in London?
City News spoke to ELGC managers Kirk Zammit and Alex Jerrom. They emphasise how the loss of the facility would impact hundreds of young athletes, not only in the local area but across London. Many gymnasts train up to 16 hours a week and have moved schools to train at this specific site.
Mr Zammit and Mr Jerrom predict that losing this facility and its coaches would set gymnastics in the region back “a good eight to ten years” compared to other UK locations. London, they say, “will struggle to have representatives in the national team for some time.”
The ELGC managers explain how gymnastics is not only about “wanting to go to the Olympics” but it installs “resilience, commitment […] and sacrifice.”
They express concern that without spaces like ELGC, young athletes will miss out on these vital life skills. These are acquired through rigorous, dedicated training that few other replacement facilities can offer.
Cheerleaders meet up for an extra stunt practice at an ELGC for an open gym session. (Eleanor Thomson for City News).
How valuable is ELGC for the sporting region?
Alex Jerrom says that spaces such as ELGC “will not be rebuilt.” He adds that “many now have already gone down.” The charity offered to purchase the centre after receiving the eviction notice. However, they were not initially consulted on the sale and were informed in a meeting the site had already been sold.
Galliard Homes has told City News that the current circumstances result from a “decision by the owner and ELGC’s management to sign a tenancy agreement outside of the 1954 Act.” This “allowed for a vacant possession notice to be served by the owner on the management.”
“We are committed to supporting ELGC in this transition and are actively working to identify alternative venues to help sustain the club’s operations.”
Galliard Homes
Linea Home say that they are “retaining the building and ensuring its financial viability” for the local area. They have “secured a new tenant who will bring significant health and social benefits to the community.”
The #SaveELGC Campaign
A community petition calling to protect the centre has received 7,589 signatures at the time of publication. This petition is directed towards the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Newham Council.
The campaign #SaveELGC has gained the support of local councils. The West Ham Labour MP James Asser, who has spoken out in Parliament. He has raised his concerns regarding the centre and the wider issues on leisure sports: “we have to debate grassroots sport and what measures we can put in place to protect facilities like this in the future?”
Athletes practice tumble drills and warm-up at ELGC, using the specialist training equipment. (Eleanor Thomson for City News).
Michael Romero is a cheerleader who will compete in the World Championships in 2025. He told City News that there are safety benefits of ELGC’s sprung floors and the tumbling facilities it provides.
“Sprung floor facilities are not only hard to find in London but offer a much safer training session for high-level stunting.”
Michael Romero, Cheerleader
Although some sports are not directly coached at the centre, the open gyms are a valuable community space for teams to meet up in a safe environment to practise skills.
SportCheer England, the national governing body for cheerleading, told City News about the importance of East London Gym.
“Historically East London Gym has been a second home for many London-based cheerleading programmes. Sprung floor facilities in London are quite rare, with many cheerleading programmes forced to train in hired halls on rolled-out mats. East London Gym welcomed cheerleaders as a community with open arms and over the years many programmes have been based there – using the sprung floor to prepare for competitions.”
Joey Gamper Cuthbert, Chair of the Board, SportCheer England
What other specialist sports centres are under threat in London?
The East London Gymnastics Club’s situation reflects a broader concern about the permanent closure of other key sporting venues. This includes The Hub, a popular dance space, and Overgravity, a tricking gym in Bow.
The EGLC managers are noticing a worrying trend in Newham where developers are now targeting specific sports facilities. These sites, once funded by Sport England, are reaching the end of their 25-year agreements.
State of the art facilities for elite gymnasts to train to their full potential. (Eleanor Thomson for City News).
ELGC has applied for an Asset of Community Value (ACV) designation. This would allow them to bid on the property, though the owner is not obligated to accept. The management is currently waiting for a decision on the application.
Additionally, the recent transfer of the Olympic Park from the London Legacy Development Corporation to four local councils has raised similar questions about the future of elite facilities.
Sites in Stratford, such as Copper Box and Lee Valley VeloPark, are currently encouraged and used as community assets. These venues are now at risk as redevelopment pressures mount, sparking concerns about how to protect these spaces moving forward.
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HeadlineThousands sign petition to save East London’s elite gymnastic centre
Short Headline#SaveELGC campaign for gymnastics centre
StandfirstThe East London Gymnastics Centre (ELGC) known for preparing athletes for the Olympics risks closure as the owners sell to housing redevelopers.
The East London Gymnastics Centre (ELGC) which now risks closure, is an “irreplaceable venue”, says its local community. ELGC was established in 1997 with lottery funding and support from Sport England.
The charity, which leases the centre, has received an eviction notice. The building’s freeholder has sold it to housing developers Linea Homes, which has since partnered with Galliard Homes.
More than 2,500 athletes train at the centre each week, benefiting from the country’s leading coaching in gymnastics, which has produced many GB Team members and Olympians. The site also provides teaching in Karate, Taekwondo, Areal skills, and wellness classes.
East London Gymnastics Centre serves about 2,500 people weekly for gymnastics, martial arts and other community activities. (ELGC).
How will the eviction impact gymnastics and elite sports in London?
City News spoke to ELGC managers Kirk Zammit and Alex Jerrom. They emphasise how the loss of the facility would impact hundreds of young athletes, not only in the local area but across London. Many gymnasts train up to 16 hours a week and have moved schools to train at this specific site.
Mr Zammit and Mr Jerrom predict that losing this facility and its coaches would set gymnastics in the region back “a good eight to ten years” compared to other UK locations. London, they say, “will struggle to have representatives in the national team for some time.”
The ELGC managers explain how gymnastics is not only about “wanting to go to the Olympics” but it installs “resilience, commitment […] and sacrifice.”
They express concern that without spaces like ELGC, young athletes will miss out on these vital life skills. These are acquired through rigorous, dedicated training that few other replacement facilities can offer.
Cheerleaders meet up for an extra stunt practice at an ELGC for an open gym session. (Eleanor Thomson for City News).
How valuable is ELGC for the sporting region?
Alex Jerrom says that spaces such as ELGC “will not be rebuilt.” He adds that “many now have already gone down.” The charity offered to purchase the centre after receiving the eviction notice. However, they were not initially consulted on the sale and were informed in a meeting the site had already been sold.
Galliard Homes has told City News that the current circumstances result from a “decision by the owner and ELGC’s management to sign a tenancy agreement outside of the 1954 Act.” This “allowed for a vacant possession notice to be served by the owner on the management.”
“We are committed to supporting ELGC in this transition and are actively working to identify alternative venues to help sustain the club’s operations.”
Galliard Homes
Linea Home say that they are “retaining the building and ensuring its financial viability” for the local area. They have “secured a new tenant who will bring significant health and social benefits to the community.”
The #SaveELGC Campaign
A community petition calling to protect the centre has received 7,589 signatures at the time of publication. This petition is directed towards the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Newham Council.
The campaign #SaveELGC has gained the support of local councils. The West Ham Labour MP James Asser, who has spoken out in Parliament. He has raised his concerns regarding the centre and the wider issues on leisure sports: “we have to debate grassroots sport and what measures we can put in place to protect facilities like this in the future?”
Athletes practice tumble drills and warm-up at ELGC, using the specialist training equipment. (Eleanor Thomson for City News).
Michael Romero is a cheerleader who will compete in the World Championships in 2025. He told City News that there are safety benefits of ELGC’s sprung floors and the tumbling facilities it provides.
“Sprung floor facilities are not only hard to find in London but offer a much safer training session for high-level stunting.”
Michael Romero, Cheerleader
Although some sports are not directly coached at the centre, the open gyms are a valuable community space for teams to meet up in a safe environment to practise skills.
SportCheer England, the national governing body for cheerleading, told City News about the importance of East London Gym.
“Historically East London Gym has been a second home for many London-based cheerleading programmes. Sprung floor facilities in London are quite rare, with many cheerleading programmes forced to train in hired halls on rolled-out mats. East London Gym welcomed cheerleaders as a community with open arms and over the years many programmes have been based there – using the sprung floor to prepare for competitions.”
Joey Gamper Cuthbert, Chair of the Board, SportCheer England
What other specialist sports centres are under threat in London?
The East London Gymnastics Club’s situation reflects a broader concern about the permanent closure of other key sporting venues. This includes The Hub, a popular dance space, and Overgravity, a tricking gym in Bow.
The EGLC managers are noticing a worrying trend in Newham where developers are now targeting specific sports facilities. These sites, once funded by Sport England, are reaching the end of their 25-year agreements.
State of the art facilities for elite gymnasts to train to their full potential. (Eleanor Thomson for City News).
ELGC has applied for an Asset of Community Value (ACV) designation. This would allow them to bid on the property, though the owner is not obligated to accept. The management is currently waiting for a decision on the application.
Additionally, the recent transfer of the Olympic Park from the London Legacy Development Corporation to four local councils has raised similar questions about the future of elite facilities.
Sites in Stratford, such as Copper Box and Lee Valley VeloPark, are currently encouraged and used as community assets. These venues are now at risk as redevelopment pressures mount, sparking concerns about how to protect these spaces moving forward.
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