West Northamptonshire Council Invites Frank Bruno Boxing Academy to Apply for New Premises

West Northamptonshire Council has expressed its desire for boxer Frank Bruno to submit an application to operate his recently shuttered boxing academy within one of the council’s properties. The Frank Bruno Boxing Academy, established in Walledwell Court, Northampton, operated in conjunction with his charitable foundation, which continues its mission of assisting individuals with mental health conditions. On Facebook, the former heavyweight world champion conveyed “with great sadness” the closure of the gym, attributing it to the academy’s inability to secure its own dedicated premises. West Northamptonshire Council, having taken ownership of the location Bruno had intended to utilize, acknowledged “the positive work” performed by the academy and indicated its willingness to collaborate. The academy’s official website released a statement indicating an aspiration to “resurrect” the facility at a later date, concurrently with Bruno’s affirmation that the foundation itself would persist in its operations within the town. Bruno stated that “due to many factors it was decided that the boxing academy needed a premises of its own to continue successfully.” He further explained that a fitting building, previously functioning as a boxing gym, had been identified, but its acquisition proved unfeasible. The council confirmed that the property situated in the Kings Heath area of Northampton is now under its management, following the liquidation of its former proprietors. The authority declared, “We have invited interested parties to submit applications and business cases, as required by all voluntary groups, to progress this and have not yet received an application from the Frank Bruno Foundation.” The final date for submitting applications is the end of December. The council’s statement further elaborated: “We have contacted the Frank Bruno Foundation to discuss further as we understand the vital role that facilities like this one play in supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents and we are keen to work together to move this forward.” Later on Tuesday, a statement from Bruno’s foundation indicated that contact regarding the building was made last week, but this occurred subsequent to the academy’s closure. The statement asserted, “The council had at least 18 months prior to this to get this finalised but sadly to no avail,” also noting the foundation’s “excellent ongoing relationship” with the council. The foundation concluded, “We wish the eventual new tenant of the Kings Heath building good luck for the future and hope quickly another boxing club can open and provide a much needed hub for the community.”