A gym established by a European boxing champion looks to be out for the count.
Plans are in to turn Henry’s Gym and dance studio at Regent Buildings on York Road, Acomb, into nine flats.
The gym was established by Henry Wharton, the former European super middleweight title holder.
John Richards Investments Ltd is applying to turn the first floor of the building, home to the gym, into five two-bed apartments, and four one-bed apartments.
The ground floor, where you find the Co-op, a pet shop, beauty salon and other retailers, would be left unchanged.
“Current leases on the first floor accommodation are due to expire. It remains that the established ground floor retail and commercial uses would not be impacted and would continue to trade and offer services to the local community,” planning documents state.
“The change of use of the premises would allow for the sustainable and efficient use of the existing property without the need for new construction.
“The proposals represent a highly sustainable re-use of underutilised accommodation that will in turn contribute to the vitality of the wider centre as result to its contribution towards central living.”
York boxing champion Henry Wharton held the British super middleweight title in 1992; the Commonwealth super middleweight title from 1991 to 1996; and the EBU European super middleweight title from 1995 to 1996.
In 1994 he fought Nigel Benn, then later Chris Eubank, in unsuccessful tilts at the world super middleweight titles.
He later set up Henry’s Gym, which was run by volunteers, and began training the next generation of fighters. In April 2020 it was forced to close by the coronavirus pandemic.
You can read more about the planning application here.
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