EXCLUSIVEMothers fury as developers force 2,000 aspiring gymnasts out of centre where Olympic diver Tom Daley and Spider-Man star Tom Holland trained
Parents have been left devastated after developers revealed plans to force 2,000 aspiring young gymnasts out of a centre where Spider-Man star Tom Holland and Olympic diver Tom Daley once trained.
Parents have been left devastated after developers revealed plans to force 2,000 aspiring young gymnasts out of a centre where Spider-Man star Tom Holland and Olympic diver Tom Daley once trained.
East London Gymnastics Club, based at a centre in Beckton, has ties to a number of stars including Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, Olympic diver Tom Daley, Olympic bronze-medalist Nile Wilson and Commonwealth champion Georgia-Mae Fenton.
Established in 1997, with funding from the National Lottery, the centre provides affordable gymnastic facilities for families in Newham and its surrounding boroughs.
But the Club is now under threat of eviction by developer Galliard Homes who has reportedly signed a lease with another leisure company to take over the space. This means the Club will need to move out by Christmas.
Its devastating that the centre is on the verge of being closed, parent Ancuta Metcan told MailOnline.
Her daughter Mikayla, 11, has been training at the Centre since she was five and has since been chosen to represent London at the GB Finals as part of the Clubs Elite team, winning Gold and Silver medals in her competitions.
The aspiring gymnast said: It feels like my dreams are being destroyed.
All my hard work over the last eight years can vanish in a few seconds because others dont see the hard work we put in.
If the gym is to close I feel like I am losing everything and everyone that I know and bonded with.
Galliard Homes told MailOnline discussions and plans are ongoing and developers are working to assist the gymnastics centre.
Justyna Kosinskas daughter Olivia (pictured when she was younger) with Tom Daley during a class at the centre
East London Gymnastics Club is being forced out of its centre in Beckton, Newham, by developers who have reportedly signed a lease with another leisure company. Pictured: Some of the young aspiring gymnasts with one of their coaches
Established in 1997, with funding from the National Lottery , the centre (pictured on Google) provides affordable gymnastic facilities for families in Newham and its surrounding boroughs
Ms Metcan said Mikayla has started suffering from panic attacks due to the stress of the impending eviction and what this might mean for her gymnastics career.
She said: This has been our second home, Mikaylas second family, the place that built her up as an elite gymnast. The coaches, the parents, the athletes here are all very supportive and we are all a big family.
Like many other parents at the centre, Ms Metcan has had to adapt her day-to-day to fit around her daughters demanding schedule, including sacrificing weekends and not taking holidays to ensure her daughter can do what she enjoys most in life.
This is the only performance centre in east London, Ms Metcan added.
The next closest one to us is over 45 minutes drive with no traffic, which means Mikayla will have to be excused from school early to be able to attend but might not be able to do so as we are not able to change our jobs further.
We dont want Mikayla to give up this beautiful journey — GB needs kids like her who are ambitious and decorated in their disciplined sport.
An online petition is calling on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to step in to protect the centre and so far has over 6,000 signatures.
The Club have asked that, even if the centre were to close, could they have an extension on their move-out date to March next year, after the gymnasts have taken their examinations. But they would like to stay and purchase the centre if possible.
A statement on the petition read: East London Gymnastics Club has been a training ground for countless individuals, including renowned figures like Tom Holland, and offers essential programs that promote fitness, discipline, and community engagement.
However, with the increasing pressure of new developments, many similar spaces have already been lost, including The Hub, a key dance space, Overgravity, a tricking gym in Bow, and Parkour Generations Chainstore. The closure of these facilities has dealt a significant blow to the arts and sports communities in London.
We cannot afford to lose another irreplaceable venue. The East London Gymnastics Club is more than just a gym; it’s a cornerstone of our community, providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to thrive. This club is a beacon of hope and inspiration, where dreams are nurtured and friendships are forged.
It added: Let’s stand together to protect the East London Gymnastics Club for current and future generations.
Newham Council has said it has received an application to make the centre an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which is being processed by the planning authority.
Claire Franklins daughter Aria, 10, holding a #SaveELGC banner - she is pictured with her coach
Members of East London Gymnastics Club hold banners which read #SAVEELGC in their campaign video
As an ACV, the centre would have protection from development under the Localism Act of 2011 and the community could bid to purchase the asset were it to come up for sale.
Justyna Kosinskas daughter Olivia, 13, is currently in the Elite squad and has been training at the East London Gymnastics Centre since she was five-years-old.
Olivia is getting ready for the British Championships as part of the Home Nations squad and has also competed in Poland.
She was pictured with five-time Olympic medalist Tom Daley OBE during one of his visits to the centre.
Ms Kosinska said: We dont really know where we are and all of these kids have been training so long. They work so hard and people dont realise how much hard work goes into it.
There are so many kids coming in and out of the centre every day and it saves them being inside with their computers, tablets or mobiles.
Claire Franklins 10-year-old daughter Aria, who is currently in the Development squad, is looking to follow in her fathers footsteps as a British gymnast.
Her father, artistic gymnast Dominic Brindle, 48, competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia, across six disciplines.
When asked about a potential relocation, Ms Franklin said: Theres nowhere for us to go. Youve got children from all around East London who drive here because theres no facility like this.
Even if we all drive out to Basildon, which is the nearest one, they cant take them. These kids do 16 to 20+ hours every week. Thats a whole familys life gone.
Aria Franklin (pictured a few years ago) at the centre in Beckton. Her mother Claire said the family travel from Loughton four times a week as there is no facility closer to home
An online petition is calling on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to step in to protect the centre and so far has over 6,000 signatures - pictured is one of the gymnastics kits
Aria Franklin (pictured), who is currently in the Clubs Development squad, wearing her East London zipper
Where are they going to go? We moved here from a smaller club. Its a bit like a grassroots football team, youre playing for your local team and you get scouted to the academy. This is the academy.
Ms Franklin added: You have kids here from Poland, Romania, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, its a melting pot of cultures. Everyone comes together for their children. Its an amazing place.
The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: While Newham Council is not the owner of this land, and no planning application has been submitted for a proposed development; an application to make the gym Asset of Community Value has been received from the Club and is being processed by Newham Council ’s planning authority.
I am pleased that the East Beckton Centre site, in our Regulation 19 Local Plan currently being reviewed, recognises the value the gym offers for the Beckton neighbourhood.
It also makes clear that there is a need to retain and enhance the East London Gymnastics Club in recognition of its sporting significance.
Even our current local planning policies emphasise the need to protect community facilities such as the East London Gymnastics Centre in this part of our borough.
Local residents and supporters of the centre should be commended as they continue to advocate that the much loved and valuable gymnastics facility is safeguarded.
Its so vital in training local and national gymnastic talent for our country, including Team GB who invest so much in the Olympians of today and the future.
Ill continue to work with local representatives including James Asser MP and Cllr Blossom Young in campaigning with gym members and sporting bodies to preserve this much needed sporting facility in the heart of Newham and east London.
I urge the developers to listen to the impassioned demands of the members and our local community.
A spokesperson for Galliard Homes said: There are many stakeholders, including us, who are involved in efforts to try to assist the gymnastics centre. Discussions and plans are ongoing. We are not in a position to provide further comment at this time.
British Gymnastics and Sports England have been approached by MailOnline for comment.