Hove Fitness and Squash director Ben Hutton says young members have been left in tears and are “lost” without access to the sport they love.
The East Sussex gym was told to close last month after dangerous concrete was discovered by the building’s owner, Entain. It remains closed and all the gym equipment is still at the facility, which means they can’t operate as a business.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found at the site while Entain told owners Matt Lambert, Lucy Egan and Hutton to shut the facility with club members still inside and playing squash.
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Hutton said: “I speak for every single solitary squash member, which I know we were a small part, but there was a massive squash community based at that club.
“We’ve national and international champions coming out the club, every single player is gutted. The kids have been crying because they’re just lost. I think that’s the same for all the class goers.”
Fellow director Lambert said: “It’s terrible. The report says the building is high risk. Entain gave us two hours to get out while people were still in the gym and playing squash.”
The club have since set up a petition, which is nearing 2,000 signatures. said: “It’s closing because the landlords (Entain) are unwilling to remove the RAAC and repair the building. So it will just become an empty unused building.
“Entain owns brands such as bwin, Coral, Ladbrokes, PartyPoker and Sportingbet. In 2022 it generated revenue of £4.296 billion.”
Howard Harding, long time PR squash guru and owner of Squashinfo, said: “This is one of the most significant squash clubs in the country, providing access to the sport for people of all ages in the area. It would be a tragedy if it were lost.”
Locals have been left dismayed at the closure. Nicola Myers said: “My son adores Ben Hutton who is a wonderful mentor and joy for the kids. The squash club is fantastic!”
Meanwhile Anna Mcdevitt wrote: “Losing five more squash courts in Brighton and Hove is a massive blow. The club is producing some of the best players in the country. Squash is now an Olympic sport, we have Olympic hopefuls.
“Fixing the problems would show commitment to the sport and would support our players. And of course would continue to enable many many people to play squash.”