Uncertain future for Penzance gymnastics club

The leaders of a west Cornwall gymnastics club say its future could be under threat because of a substantial rent rise.

Penzance Gymnastics Club could close unless it can attract extra funding or find more affordable premises.

More than 500 people of all ages use the community facility each week, the club said.

Landlord Questmap said the proposed rise was within the terms of the lease and should have come in a year ago.

Penzance Gymnastics Club has been running for more than 50 years and moved to its current purpose-built base at Long Rock 10 years ago.

The club's director Teona Jelbert said their landlord wanted to increase the rent by 100% over the next three years, which would mean the club could no longer afford to stay.

She said: "The closure would potentially make 12 people redundant and would leave 500 families without a space to use.

"I could increase fees to meet the demand, however I would lose nearly everybody. That's not what we're about, our values are about looking after the community," she added.

"There are no other industrial units in west Cornwall, we are stuck."

One of the coaches Jack Lorys said the club plays a significant role in the community.

"It's important for the gymnasts themselves, it's not just gymnastics to them. It's the community, it's everything, it's how they overcome adversities," he said.

"It's so much more than sport."

The club has started a fundraising push to raise £16,000 which would cover this year's rent while they look for a new home.

In a statement, the landlord Questmap said the rent was increasing in line with the terms of the lease, adding the rent review had been due a year ago.

Questmap said it had supported the club throughout the period of their lease and have offered to continue to do so.

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