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City Academy has opened space on their premise for the amateur boxing club to continue
An academy has stepped in to support an amateur boxing club after its owners sold its previous base.
Barton Hill Amateur Boxing Club (ABC)’s home was sold by owners, Wellspring Settlement, in March leaving the club without a permanent base.
City Academy, in Easton, Bristol, has opened up space at their premises for the amateur boxers to use while a future solution is found.
Ben Tucker, principal of City Academy, said: “Barton Hill ABC has been an important part of this community for generations, and we weren’t prepared to see that legacy put at risk.” Wellspring Settlement previously told the BBC the building housing the club was “a financial liability we can no longer afford to maintain”.
Boxing club leaders Carlton, Lee, Tom and Hassan said the support from City Academy “couldn’t have come at a more crucial time”.
They added: “Our boxers rely on consistent training, and without a place to call home we were facing real uncertainty.
“This partnership allows us to keep our young athletes focused, motivated, and progressing, and we’re incredibly grateful for the school’s belief in what we do.”
The building used by the Barton Hill ABC was previously known as The Dug Out youth club, where street artists like Banksy and Inkie started out.
They were able to hone their graffiti skills when parts of the building were effectively turned into a giant canvas in the 80s, thanks to the Barton Hill Aerosol Art Project.
Prior to this, the club was formally known as The George Wills Memorial Hall.
It opened in 1926 and became a music venue in the 70s, hosting bands including Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Massive Attack.
Alexander Smith
The building houses some of Banksy’s earliest works with his tag visible top right
Mr Tucker said supporting organisations like Barton Hill ABC was “at the heart of what City Academy stands for”.
He added: “By opening our doors, we’re helping ensure that young people continue to have a safe, positive and inspiring space to train.”