Redgrave’s former club under threat in battle over lease
Thames Tradesmen’s locked up by council Cracknell and Pinsent join preservation battle
A rowing club linked to some of Britain’s most decorated Olympians has been forced off the water for the first time in 121 years after their boathouse was locked up by authorities over a development row.
The headquarters of Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Club – who count gold medallists Sir Steve Redgrave, James Cracknell and Martin Cross among former members – was locked up by Hounslow Borough Council amid a dispute over the lease.
The council insists it plans to build an updated facility at a multimillion pound site in Chiswick, but sources close to the club said there are concerns the land might be sold off before funding is secured.
Thames Tradesmen’s, who have a proud history of sourcing talent away from the public school image of rowing, are seeking legal advice, claiming the club had “no prior warning, communication or negotiation” before being served with an eviction notice last month.
Double gold medallist Cracknell, who is still an active member of the club, is now unable to access his own boat because he kept it locked up at the site on The Promenade.
He said: “I trust the council will see the unfairness in this situation and at least postpone this action until a way forward can be found to restore rowing at the club. Thames Tradesmen’s is a unique club that offers fantastic sporting and social activities for the local community.”
The club claim Hounslow Council wants the club to give up their existing lease and move to a rolling six-month licence. The club say they are now spending “a past president’s hard-earned legacy” on securing clarification from the High Court over their lease on the building, which in theory runs until 2033.
Established in 1897, the club were formed to champion rowers from all levels and backgrounds. Sir Matthew Pinsent, the four-times gold medallist, is among thousands of signatories on a petition for the boathouse to be reopened.
Paul Arnold, the club captain, said: “Our ambition is to introduce the local community of all ages and backgrounds to the camaraderie, discipline and health benefits of this wonderful sport.”
Other clubs that operate from the boathouse include Old Meadonians FC and Barnes Hockey Club, who use the facilities to change when playing at nearby Riverside Lands. A spokesperson for Old Meadonians said: “We are aware of all current developments and are working positively with London Borough of Hounslow to reach a desired outcome for all parties.”
In a statement, Hounslow Council claimed it had concerns that Thames Tradesmen’s “have no legal interest within the property, and that sub-letting arrangements have taken place without the council’s knowledge or approval”.
“In terms of the use of Chiswick Boat House, it is recognised that the current site and buildings are in a poor condition and underused, and the long-held aspiration has been to develop a comprehensive range of water sporting facilities on the site accessible to users across the Borough,” the council said.
“Funding arrangements are now in hand with indicative finance of £300,000 from two sources and recent interest from a major institution in providing further funding.”
Council officers said they met with Thames Tradesmen’s last month “to agree terms for the club to take a licence, as agreed with the five other occupiers”. Hounslow Council cited work at Chiswick Rugby Club and Old Meadonians as it said in a statement that “the master plan for improving the sporting facilities to the benefit of users and stakeholders is progressing well”.