Campaign to save the Central YMCA Club continues despite High Court setback

Campaigners trying to save the Central YMCA from closure say they are disappointed but not deterred after the High Court on Friday ruled against a retired postal worker who had attempted to halt the sale of the health and social club to a hotel group.

In December members of the Central YMCA received notice that the charity that runs the club on Great Russell Street in Fitzrovia had taken a decision to close the site.

Ryan Palmer, chief executive of the Central YMCA, wrote saying the charity has been “conducting a strategic review” which had concluded the club is no longer financially viable and “will cease trading on 7 February 2025” and that it has been sold to property developer Criterion Capital which operates the Zedwell hotel chain. There had been no consultation with members on the closure and sale.

A campaign to save the much-loved club was quickly launched with thousands of people signing a petition against the closure, and the backing of Camden Council was also gained.

In a public statement on the sale in December, Omar Aziz of Criterion Capital, said: “This acquisition is a partnership founded on trust and mutual respect. From the beginning, our shared vision with Central YMCA has been to recognise the importance of this historic site, while transforming it into an economically viable and vibrant space that meets the needs of future generations, ensuring it remains relevant and meaningful to contemporary needs.”

Criterion gave a commitment to work with “local organisations and stakeholders” and Camden Council to “shape the next chapter of this building”.

However, when the Save the Central YMCA Club campaigners approached Criterion they received no response. Criterion has also not responded to requests for comment from The Fitzrovia News or other local and national news media.

With time running out, Central YMCA Club member Patrick Joy applied for an interim injunction against the Central Young Men’s Christian Association and Criterion Capital because efforts to bring all parties together to discuss a proposed six-month pause in the closure process had failed.

However, on Friday 31 January Mr Justice Trower refused to grant the injunction, partly due to a shortage of evidence to support Joy’s claim.

Joy had joined the Central YMCA Club in 2018 on medical advice so that he could lead an independent, active life despite having several medical conditions and a disability.

“I took the option of going to the High Court because all attempts to negotiate with Central YMCA and Criterion Capital/Zedwell had been stonewalled, and the planned closure of the Club was imminent,” he said.

“Even though my application was unsuccessful, I am pleased that a High Court judge was able to review the process by which the sale took place.

“It is clear that the court recognised the strength of feeling I was able to express through my application, and which was amply demonstrated by the time taken by the Judge to arrive at his decision and the huge number of supporters both in the courtroom and outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

“I know the campaign group has been unable to stop the closure on 7 February, but this is definitely not the end of the road.

“I am still hopeful that the new owners of the site will recognise its importance to so many people, and find it within themselves to meet the Save the Central YMCA campaign group so that the club can continue under a different name or brand.”

David Bieda, spokesperson for the Save the Central YMCA Club campaign, said he and his colleagues were “immensely proud of Patrick Joy” for bringing the injunction.

“We echo Mr Joy’s words and hope for constructive dialogue with Criterion Capital/Zedwell, its founder and CEO Asif Aziz, and the other members of the Aziz family who lead the business,” said Bieda.

Last week the campaigners received good news from Camden Council which has listed the Central YMCA Club as an “asset of community value” following a nomination by the Charlotte Street Association residents’ group.

Camden stated: “In the opinion of the local authority, the Central YMCA Club supports the social and physical wellbeing of the local community, providing a nurturing environment for a wide range of individuals and community groups.”

The Charlotte Street Association, which responds to planning and licensing applications on behalf of residents in Fitzrovia, said that listing by the council will be a “material consideration” in deciding any planning application submitted for the site and would give a community group the opportunity to bid to buy the site if it is put on the market.

Ahead of last week’s High Court action news emerged of another central London institution under threat from the same property developer. The Guardian news site reported that the Prince Charles cinema near Leicester Square is under threat from its landlords Criterion Capital who are demanding a “break clause” in the building’s lease.

Criterion told the Guardian: “We value Prince Charles Cinema and we work closely with our tenants to help best utilise the properties within our portfolio. We operate within the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and categorically deny any attempts to intimidate or disadvantage them.

“We are committed to curating a portfolio that balances community benefit with sustainable commercial arrangements, and mischaracterising our position through public campaigns hinders resolution. We will continue to act responsibly, legally, and in good faith.”

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