A campaign has been launched to save the world’s first YMCA club building, which is due to close after serving the London community for decades.
The Central YMCA club in the heart of London on Great Russell Street is scheduled to shut in February 2025 following the recent sale of the site, reportedly linked to soaring maintenance costs and “demographic changes”.
At the time of the sale, YMCA Chief Executive Ryan Palmer said in a statement: “This sale will allow us to reinvest in more sustainable, impactful, and forward-looking ways of broadening our service provision, better serving both existing and new communities.”
In response, campaigners have launched a petition to save the location, arguing that the gym, health and wellbeing centre is a crucial lifeline for thousands of people in the area.
The campaign calls on members, allies and users to sign the petition and support keeping the club location open.
Organisers of the petition claim the sale of the building to a hotel happened without the consultation of members or staff and will negatively affect London’s access to community spaces.
“By signing this petition, you are joining us in calling for a revision of the sale of Central YMCA Club to allow Central YMCA Club to continue providing its vital facility for its thousands of current members, and many more generations to come,” the petition reads.
The campaign has garnered the support of almost 5,000 signatories so far, with supporters of the petition sharing personal messages while calling for the closure to be reconsidered.
“A place very dear to my heart!” wrote one supporter. “Not just a gym but a community. Where does anywhere else like this exists in central London? The closure has to be stopped.”
Another added: “Central YMCA is a valued community resource that means alot to so many of us. It helps to keep us active and in good shape. We must save it.”
Although two other CYMCA club sites at Kings Cross and Moorgate remain open, campaigners have sought the support of the council to prevent closure of the Tottenham Court Road site.
Following news of the club closure, representatives also attended Camden Town Hall where they reportedly gained the support of every councillor in attendance.
On December 9, more than 120 people turned out to support YMCA members David Bieda and Josh von Uexkull as they addressed the committee about the closure.
The Central YMCA club building was first opened in 1911 but was later demolished and replaced with its current building in 1977.
For almost 50 years, the current site has served as a central community point for thousands of people of all ages, providing vital facilities for physical education and social programmes.
The location currently boasts a 25m swimming pool with sauna and steam rooms, as well as various exercise studios and a number of weekly classes.
It’s also said to be a crucial lifeline for people in the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting the Positive Health program and HIV referrals.
The location also supports a number of other initiatives geared toward helping various communities, including 900 over-60s adults that benefit from the older adults programme and stroke support group.
As the campaign to keep the site open gathers pace, organisers have also called on volunteers with expertise in law, accounting, content production, or coordination to get involved.
Those who can help are encouraged to email the organisers at: getinvolved@savetheymcaclub.org .
