Halesowen gym future depends on move say bosses

Earls Gymnastics Club has unveiled plans to move from its training base at Earls High School and move into an industrial unit off Cradley Road, in Netherton.

The club is struggling to meet a demand in interest after member Kristian Thomas won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in London this year. It has nearly 300 people on the waiting list.

Chairman John Caulwell said: "We need to find a suitable alternative base to secure the club's future. The problem we have now is the school is not big enough and the costings are too high.

"Since the Olympics we have seen the number of people wanting to join increase, but there is not enough capacity where we are. We need a larger base."

Mr Caulwell said the proposal to move to the industrial unit was among the options being considered.

The club has received a Sport England grant but needs to spend it by the end of March. Apart from the one-off grant, the club is solely funded by membership fees, and it struggles to pay its £28,500-a-year rent.

Five coaches have already been laid off this year.

Kristian, of Wednesfield, helped win Great Britain's first medal in the team event for a century when they scooped bronze at London 2012. He still trains at the club every week.

Dudley Council's planning department is expected to make a decision by the end of January.