HOLMES Chapel Boxing Club are punching their way to a whole new level.

They are preparing to move out of their Goostrey Lane base into new premises in April in what is seen as the first step to becoming the club they set out to be when formed two years ago.

Head coach Kevin Brownlow says creating a new home on Station Yard Trading Estate, next to the train station, will bring a new ‘dynamic’ and hopefully attract more youngsters to becoming involved.

The new base will not only be in a more central location but also three times bigger than their current site, with the announcement of the move coinciding with the club’s second birthday.

“Big, big changes are planned,” said Brownlow.

“Covid had a big impact on the club in 2020, but it didn’t stop us working to keep growing and establishing the club as part of the local community.

“We celebrated our first birthday in January, ran our first club show in February, closed due to Covid in March, ran Zoom training through April, became a registered charity in May, continued our outdoor training through June as the season closed.

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“In July we prepared the gym for re-opening with new procedures as a Covid secure facility before reopening in August. While back in the gym, there were no scheduled competitions so it gave us the opportunity to focus on developing different parts of the club.

“When we asked what we could do to improve, the big themes included a more accessible location and a bigger gym.

“The club has made a long-term commitment and will move to new premises in the centre of Holmes Chapel in April.

“It has taken a huge amount of effort to get to this point and we still have a long way to go.

“In April, our current members will train in the new gym subject to Covid and lockdown easing. Phase one will be a bigger gym but with similar facilities to our current home.

“We are hoping phase two will be complete by the end of summer.

“This will change the gym and the dynamics of the club. We will be able to deliver more classes for a wider group of people as per our original aims and objectives.

“The club and our trustees have always been committed to bringing the benefits of boxing training for positive mental and physical health, we have had ongoing conversations with schools and the NHS. 2021 is when we can realise these ambitions.

“Once both phases are complete and the gym is fully open we will have an amazing 4,700 sq ft facility with separate training zones, a wider selection of hitting equipment, changing facilities, a classroom/meeting room and dedicated reception area.

“Our boxers will have a home in the centre of the village and we will have the space allow more members to join and to run new classes.”