East London Gymnastics Centre: Parents campaign against closure

Kirk Zammit, who runs the East London School of Gymnastics, Movement and Dance, the charity that leases and operates the ELGC, told BBC London the freeholder of the building sold it to property development firm Linea Homes in 2020.

“They told us not to panic,” Mr Zammit told BBC London, describing how developers had originally assured them they would collaborate to meet the gym’s specific needs.

Despite a year and a half of meetings, he said, communication slowed in early 2023, and in June the gym received notice that the lease would end.

Linea Homes had partnered with Galliard Homes, another property developer, to take the project forward and the management was told plans for a new gym were “no longer viable”, Mr Zammit explained.

The operators have until 1 January to vacate the centre.

It remains unclear what the developers intend to do with the site and no plans have been submitted to Newham Council.

The eviction has prompted a campaign by members, parents and the wider community in Beckton to try to prevent the ELGC’s closure, with an onine petition attracting over 7,000 signatures.