by Rebecca Hannant
A Hornsea couple have been left feeling deflated after plans to set up a boxing club in the town were put on hold.
Last year, Charlotte and Craig Hartley had the idea of setting up a charity-run community interest boxing club after noticing a lack of resources for children in Hornsea.
The couple approached various premises in the town in an attempt to secure a permanent base.
Charlotte said: “We wanted something for them to utilise after school, just to give them a bit of focus and something extra to do. We approached various premises around Hornsea. We tried up at the Freeport, but unfortunately, they don’t open late enough to accommodate evening sessions.
“We tried a couple of the industrial units near Woods of Hornsea, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t allow a gym to be run from there.”
The couple then identified the old Resource Centre, which has been derelict for many years, as an ideal location due to its accessibility and prominent location in the town. They contacted East Riding Council to begin the process of trying to secure the Parva Road premises.
Charlotte added: “We were really set on getting this building and we had a lot of support from local councillors, and the people who we’d spoken to at the council told us it was a brilliant idea.
“In the meantime, we started running some little sessions at Leven Sports Hall just to try and drum up support. The kids were really enjoying it, but participation dropped because we were very limited in what we could offer in resources.
“We needed somewhere that we could put up a proper ring, punchbags, and utilise it as a boxing gym. We were also contacted by the secondary school who wanted to use the venue for after-school clubs and stuff like that.”
Craig added: “We also made connections with England Boxing, to make sure that we were compliant with regulations and we knew exactly what we needed.”
However, after submitting a bid to secure the premises, they recently received a letter confirming they were unsuccessful in their tender.
Charlotte said: “When we received a letter to say that we weren’t successful in our tender, it’s put the kibosh on it because without a venue we can’t move forward. It’s disappointing because I really think it would’ve been an absolute asset to the town and the chance to get up and be active. We also had people approaching us to run self-defence classes from there. We had people offering volunteer support too. It just feels like an anti-climax.”
She added: “I put something on social media, and I have already received quite a few comments from people saying that they were gutted that it’s not happening.
“We have hit a brick wall. It was just a matter of getting that building. Now, I’m not sure where else to go with it. We are going to keep our options open. If something does come available, then we will pursue it.”
Craig said: “It’s just been a bit of a shambles with it all. I don’t know where we can go.
“We need someone like Luke Campbell on our side now. I was going to try and reach out to him and try to secure a meeting. I think someone like him could really push for it.
“The town is desperate for it – there is nothing for teenagers.”
The Gazette has approached East Riding Council for comment.