Fyrish Gymnastics Club ready to sit down with new landlord after Alness premises twist
AN Easter Ross gymnastics club battling to secure the long-term future of its Alness premises has vowed to bounce back from a bitter blow.
Fyrish Gymnastics Club learned its bid to buy the Culcraggie House premises it rents from BT has failed, with an offer from another buyer accepted.
This is despite securing a £100,000 offer from sportscotland and thousands of pounds worth of pledges from local businesses and well-wishers - and tabling an offer which the club says matched an indicative sum previously flagged by BT.
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Alness-based gymnastics club ‘heartbroken’ over premises setback
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The club has a secured lease until 2028 but had been keen to take its fate into its own hands after learning the former call centre premises were on the market.
Chairman Claire Gordon said: “It’s a bit of a shock. We shouldn’t have been put in this position. We will look to sit down with the new landlord while also keeping our options open regarding ownership. We will figure out the best way for the club.
“The positive thing is that through the amazing support we have received, we know how much we mean to the community. It’s not the end of the road - it’s a turn.
“And the kids don’t need to worry - the gymnastics club will be still be there.”
Claire Gordon said: “We shouldn’t have been put in this position. We expected BT to honour that. There is a lot of disappointment but we do not see this as the end of the road - it’s another turn.
“The kids don’t need to be worried - the gymnastics club will still be there.”
It’s understood BT has agreed a deal with a buyer who is from the area but no further details have yet been disclosed.
BT cut the rent paid by the Fyrish club at the time of the pandemic and has maintained that lower rate ever since.
The telecoms giant leases most of the premises it currently uses. It pulled out of Alness after a wider rationalisation of premises it uses.
The company has employed hundreds of locals down the years in its call centres.
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