CNC Boxing Gym in Southbourne search for new premises

CNC Boxing Gym is now desperately searching for a new home before it is forced to leave Southwick Road in February next year. 

The England boxing-affiliated amateur club has been welcoming youngsters for the past four years and helps to showcase their talent all over the country.

Read more: Building badly damaged by fire in Boscombe - photos

It was first set up by Joe Hayes, 40, and Kye Brewer, 41.

Joe said: “I was a professional boxer, and when I finished boxing, me and Kye decided to set up an amateur boxing gym, and it’s just got bigger and bigger since.”

Owners Joe Hayes and Kye Brewer with two of CNC's female boxers (Image: CNC Boxing Gym)

However, Joe said that CNC has now been told to find a new home ahead of plans to develop on the site.

Specifically, Calendula Assets Limited - which owns the site - has been granted planning permission to build 12 houses, six car parks, and associated parking, in its space.

The boxing club said it has been told it must leave when its rent contract runs out in February.

Joe told the Daily Echo: “As of February next year we have no premises.

“It’s really important we find somewhere because it’s a community-based boxing gym. We’ve got 10-20 kids at every junior session, and 10-20 seniors at every senior session. We take them all over the country to box.”

CNC Boxing Gym (Image: CNC Boxing Gym)

However, the search for a new home is proving a challenge and has not yet been successful.

Joe said: “The issue with having an amateur boxing gym is that you can’t be within a mile of another England-affiliated boxing gym. There’s one in Boscombe and there’s one in Christchurch - that’s what it makes it awkward.”

Joe explained that “90 per cent” of all the boxers were from the Southbourne area, and so it was also important that the new home was local to the area. 

He added: “We will cease to operate if we don’t have anywhere to go.”

Littledown and Iford ward councillor Bobbie Dove said: “It is always a shame for the community when leisure and sporting organisations are faced with losing their premises.

"The benefits of being part of a club are well documented and we know that boxing is a well loved sport by both boys and girls, the young and the old."

Cllr Dove added that she "sincerely hopes" that the council can assist the club in its search for a new premises. 

The Daily Echo contacted Calendula Assets Limited for a comment. The company said it does not have any direct involvement with the boxing gym as it is sublet by its tenant.

It added that there are currently "no plans for the tenant to vacate in the near future".