A DRUMCHAPEL club that offers boxing lessons for young people has been “left with no choice” but to find other premises.

Two weeks ago, Argo Boxing Club, which had been based at St Mark’s Church on Kinfauns Drive for over a decade, was told that it had to move out of the building as there were “health and safety concerns”.

Kate Black, treasurer for the club told the Post: “We have been made homeless because officials said the church isn’t fit for purpose because it has dampness.

“We were told one night that the club had to close with immediate effect. 

"We had to stop using the building and then we were told we can’t take any of our stuff out for no reason.

“If I am being honest we are pretty scunnered. It is disappointing. 

"We are trying to look for alternatives to help our young people.”

The Post understands that no further specification has been made about the exact health and safety concerns.

The club are now calling upon the community to help them find a new premises as the lessons were due to start back next week.

Kate continued: “We have such a good response from the Drumchapel community. 

"We are looking at short to medium term. Even to get something temporary in place would be a great achievement. 

“The juniors are expected to come back on August 23, but I honestly don’t see that happening. 

“They have really been hit with not attending school [in person], or being at clubs for the last 18 months, so for this to happen is awful.

“We are appealing to any local residents or business owners that would like to help us. 

"We are desperate to try and find somewhere for the children to train as boxing competitions are quickly approaching.”

Earlier this year the Post reported that the congregation at St Mark’s had applied for a funding boost of £5,000 from the Wee Green Grants initiative to create a new community facility at the church which would include a children’s mud kitchen and raised beds to allow people living in Drumchapel to grow and care for vegetables and herbs.

A spokesperson from the Church of Scotland said: "The church very much regrets that it has been forced to close the Hall rented to the ARGO Boxing Club following very significant water ingress to the building which resulted in both the Church of Scotland’s Heath and Safety Officer and Building Officer agreeing that the premises represents a significant health and safety risk to all users.

"The church takes the health and safety of all church buildings users a top priority. We very much regret the fact that the boxing club have had to seek alternative premises given its long association with the church building over the years and wish them well in finding alternative accommodation."

Anyone who would like to help can message Argo Boxing Club on Facebook.