Boxing club in 'terrible' building stuck in limbo
LDRSA boxing academy owner says he has had a "shameful" lack of council support during a six-year long wait for a town centre redevelopment.
Founder of Billingham Boxing Academy (BBA) Adrian Worth said the building the club used, which is to be demolished as part of plans for the town, was in a "terrible condition" and needed council funds to move.
Stockton Council has been negotiating with owners Sheet Anchor Evolve for a partial acquisition of the West Precinct in Billingham town centre before the redevelopment can begin.
Council leader Lisa Evans said she understood it had been "frustrating" but reiterated the council could not fund relocation until the deal was completed.
Worth said due to the regeneration plans, the academy had not been maintaining its building.
"We are training out of a building which has got leaks all over it and it has not had any work done since pre-Covid because it was due to be demolished," he said.
"The conditions are absolutely terrible."
The academy has secured a lease for a new premises but needs funding to help furnish the building and move the club.
LDRSSince 2019, the BBA has worked with hundreds of teenagers and adults from the "poorest postcodes" in the area and engaged with the police to tackle knife crime in the area.
Worth said the club provided teenagers with something to do and helped them find purpose and discipline.
He said the community the academy created was one of his "proudest achievements" and hoped the council would support the club to continue to make a difference.
Evans said Evolve was the landlord responsible for the condition and maintenance of the buildings, until a partial acquisition was completed.
She said: "We are aware that a suitable property has been identified for the relocation of Billingham Boxing Academy, this property is not council-owned.
"As the businesses are Sheet Anchor Evolve's tenant, until funding agreements between the council and Sheet Anchor Evolve are signed, the council cannot formalise any funding to enable relocation to take place."
Sheet Anchor Evolve has been contacted for comment.
