Head Coach Martin Bass has worked at the club since the 1970s
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The 100 year old East London weightlifting club, dubbed “the oldest in London” has been given a three month extension to its eviction notice.
Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club (BGWC) had been given a Section 25 notice by Tower Hamlets Council, to vacate its premises by the end of January.
However, in December the club organising protests, tried to stop the eviction, collecting signatures for a petition to save the club from closure.
The club successfully campaigning for the space won an extension, setting the new date to April 30th.
‘It serves the community and the council want the building’
Head Coach Martin Bass said the extension buys the club time, however he remains concerned for the club’s future.
Mr Bass said: “It makes no sense, we’ve got a hundred year old institution, it serves the community and the council want the building.”
Despite the council pledging to find alternative arrangements for the club, Mr Bass “doubts [the council] is going to find a space that suits the club” by the deadline.
Tower Hamlets Council said they had extended the notice to give the club more time to “compete, discuss plans and make alternative arrangements.”
Mr Bass adds that the club filing a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was told that the gym had been planned for a “Resident’s Hub” – although the council had no immediate plans for the site.
The club, a non-profit organisation has developed world champions representing Great Britain at the Paralympic Games and the Commonwealth Championships.
‘Denying a Paralympian another chance at the games’
Ali Jawad, three time Paralympian explains that if Tower Hamlets Council decide to close the premises come April 30th “they’re potentially denying a Paralympian another chance at the games.”
Jawad at the 2014 World Championships lifted 190kg, his world record lift. Winning a silver Paralympic medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiro, the powerlifter describes the club as a lifeline: “It’s less pressure training here because it’s so much fun, because I can still train and have a good time, whereas when you’re in competition mode it’s quite an intense environment, so that’s why I like coming here.”
Ali Jawad, three-time Paralympic Powerlifter, who won a silver medal for powerlifting during the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Explaining whether he has looked at other gyms, Mr Jawad adds, “[The eviction] is getting to a point now where I might have to.”
Mr Jawad has represented Great Britain at three other Paralympic Games, including Beijing, London and Tokyo, and is training to return to the games in 2028 in Los Angeles.
‘This club is a source of support and strength for a lot of people’
Another powerlifter, Beatriz Santos, trained at BGWC representing Greater London while at the SBD British Open Championships in November 2024. She is currently training for the Greater London Divisional Championships in March 2025.
“The club prepared me for my first nationals, I couldn’t be prouder, I owe it all really to the club and to Martin.”
Ms Santos adds “without this community, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, this club is a source of support and strength for a lot of people.”
Beatriz Santos, Powerlifter, training for Greater London Divisional Championships in March 2025.
Martin Bass has worked at the club since the 1970s although the club was once housed on Old Bethnal Green Road, before moving to its now location on Turin Street in 1948.
When the club marched from the gym down to Brick Lane in December, Ms Santos recalls “everyone got together to march outside Shoreditch station and I have never seen such a community come together in plight to help the club.
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: “We’ve met with representatives of the Weightlifting Club and agreed to extend the date of the notice to 30 April to provide more time for alternative arrangements to be discussed and put in place.
“We recognise the importance of the club to the community and the borough and will continue to engage with them. Senior officers will visit the site to discuss and assess needs and we remain hopeful that a positive resolution can be agreed.”
As talks continue between the council and the club, the new date of April 30th looms over Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club.
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HeadlineTower Hamlets Council gives eviction extension to Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club
Short HeadlineLondon's oldest weightlifting club given three month eviction extension
StandfirstBethnal Green Weightlifting Club serving for almost 100 years has been given a three-month extension to its eviction notice.
The 100 year old East London weightlifting club, dubbed “the oldest in London” has been given a three month extension to its eviction notice.
Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club (BGWC) had been given a Section 25 notice by Tower Hamlets Council, to vacate its premises by the end of January.
However, in December the club organising protests, tried to stop the eviction, collecting signatures for a petition to save the club from closure.
The club successfully campaigning for the space won an extension, setting the new date to April 30th.
‘It serves the community and the council want the building’
Head Coach Martin Bass said the extension buys the club time, however he remains concerned for the club’s future.
Mr Bass said: “It makes no sense, we’ve got a hundred year old institution, it serves the community and the council want the building.”
Despite the council pledging to find alternative arrangements for the club, Mr Bass “doubts [the council] is going to find a space that suits the club” by the deadline.
Tower Hamlets Council said they had extended the notice to give the club more time to “compete, discuss plans and make alternative arrangements.”
Mr Bass adds that the club filing a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was told that the gym had been planned for a “Resident’s Hub” – although the council had no immediate plans for the site.
The club, a non-profit organisation has developed world champions representing Great Britain at the Paralympic Games and the Commonwealth Championships.
‘Denying a Paralympian another chance at the games’
Ali Jawad, three time Paralympian explains that if Tower Hamlets Council decide to close the premises come April 30th “they’re potentially denying a Paralympian another chance at the games.”
Jawad at the 2014 World Championships lifted 190kg, his world record lift. Winning a silver Paralympic medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiro, the powerlifter describes the club as a lifeline: “It’s less pressure training here because it’s so much fun, because I can still train and have a good time, whereas when you’re in competition mode it’s quite an intense environment, so that’s why I like coming here.”
Ali Jawad, three-time Paralympic Powerlifter, who won a silver medal for powerlifting during the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Explaining whether he has looked at other gyms, Mr Jawad adds, “[The eviction] is getting to a point now where I might have to.”
Mr Jawad has represented Great Britain at three other Paralympic Games, including Beijing, London and Tokyo, and is training to return to the games in 2028 in Los Angeles.
‘This club is a source of support and strength for a lot of people’
Another powerlifter, Beatriz Santos, trained at BGWC representing Greater London while at the SBD British Open Championships in November 2024. She is currently training for the Greater London Divisional Championships in March 2025.
“The club prepared me for my first nationals, I couldn’t be prouder, I owe it all really to the club and to Martin.”
Ms Santos adds “without this community, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, this club is a source of support and strength for a lot of people.”
Beatriz Santos, Powerlifter, training for Greater London Divisional Championships in March 2025.
Martin Bass has worked at the club since the 1970s although the club was once housed on Old Bethnal Green Road, before moving to its now location on Turin Street in 1948.
When the club marched from the gym down to Brick Lane in December, Ms Santos recalls “everyone got together to march outside Shoreditch station and I have never seen such a community come together in plight to help the club.
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: “We’ve met with representatives of the Weightlifting Club and agreed to extend the date of the notice to 30 April to provide more time for alternative arrangements to be discussed and put in place.
“We recognise the importance of the club to the community and the borough and will continue to engage with them. Senior officers will visit the site to discuss and assess needs and we remain hopeful that a positive resolution can be agreed.”
As talks continue between the council and the club, the new date of April 30th looms over Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club.
