Boxing club to close its doors after 50 years

A BOXING club which has been open for more than 50 years is one step closer to closing its doors.

Bargoed Amateur Boxing Club runs from the mobility repair building in William Street but the owner of the building is selling the property.

Club head coach Dean Small said the building was set to go up for auction in May. The owner of the building was described as being “as good as gold” with the club but he’s looking to move on.

In February Mr Small called on Caerphilly County Borough Council to help the club find a new home as the coaches want to help “keep kids off the streets”.

The 41-year-old, from Bargoed, says it’s unlikely that they will find a new home.

In fact it looks as though the club will be forced close within the next few months.

Mr Small said: “They have not helped at all and the building is going up for auction in May.

“The kids will be gutted – they’ll be back on the streets.

“I dread to think what they’ll be doing when it closes. They will be devastated.

“We haven’t told them yet just in case we manage to find something else.”

The coach said at one point there were plans for the group to work with Fleur de lis boxing club.

But, after discussing the idea, they decided against it.

As well as wanting to remain based in Bargoed, they really want a building to call their own.

Mr Small said: “We spoke to the club and they said they did not want to go with another club.

“The thing is they train at similar times to us and we want to keep our kids with us. We don’t want to lose people.

“Bargoed Boxing Club has been looking for its own building for years but we’ve just been moved from pillar to post.”

When asked about the club, Caerphilly council said it has continued to be as proactive as it can possibly be.

It has previously worked to support the club by offering funding through a Community Chest grant.

A spokeswoman said: “The council has been and continues to be as proactive as it possibly can be in supporting Mr Small in seeking an alternative location for the club.

“Unfortunately, we can only operate within the constraints of the facilities that are available in the area and despite a small number of potential venues being highlighted these, for a number of reasons, have been deemed unsuitable.

“We have also facilitated contact with another nearby boxing club to suggest the possibility of a joint use facility.”