This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7370493.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Olympic gym under closure threat Olympic gym under closure threat
(about 1 hour later)
A gym which is has been selected as a gymnastics training venue ahead of the 2012 London Olympics is facing closure.A gym which is has been selected as a gymnastics training venue ahead of the 2012 London Olympics is facing closure.
Hillingdon Council said the owners of Swallows Gym in north-west London, owed £97,000 in business rates and rent.Hillingdon Council said the owners of Swallows Gym in north-west London, owed £97,000 in business rates and rent.
A spokesman for gym, which is home to the Hillingdon School of Gymnastics (HSG), claims the council has gone back on deal to help pay the rent. A spokesman for the gym, which is home to the Hillingdon School of Gymnastics (HSG), claims the council has gone back on deal to help pay the rent.
A council spokeswoman said the gym was commercial business which charged customers, so it must pay its bills.A council spokeswoman said the gym was commercial business which charged customers, so it must pay its bills.
Thousands of local residents have signed a petition to try to keep the centre open.Thousands of local residents have signed a petition to try to keep the centre open.
About 2,000 train at the gym every week.About 2,000 train at the gym every week.
Not a charityNot a charity
Mike swallows, the director of the gym and HSG, said: "The London Borough of Hillingdon is trying to impose commercial rent and rates contrary to the original agreements back in 1984/86, back-dated for 12 years.Mike swallows, the director of the gym and HSG, said: "The London Borough of Hillingdon is trying to impose commercial rent and rates contrary to the original agreements back in 1984/86, back-dated for 12 years.
"No voluntary club in the country would be able to pay those sums of money and many, particularly in London, are under threat.""No voluntary club in the country would be able to pay those sums of money and many, particularly in London, are under threat."
A spokeswoman for the council said: "Swallows Gymnasium is run as a commercial business and children and young people are charged a fee for attending.A spokeswoman for the council said: "Swallows Gymnasium is run as a commercial business and children and young people are charged a fee for attending.
"It is not a charity, as Mr Swallow has previously claimed. As Mr Swallow has failed to pay rent and rates owed, the council has a duty to take him to court.""It is not a charity, as Mr Swallow has previously claimed. As Mr Swallow has failed to pay rent and rates owed, the council has a duty to take him to court."
The council added an independent health and safety inspection of the gym concluded the amount of work required to make it safe for children and young people made it impossible for it to be taken over without substantial work to the building.The council added an independent health and safety inspection of the gym concluded the amount of work required to make it safe for children and young people made it impossible for it to be taken over without substantial work to the building.
"However, we are continuing to work to find a different solution to provide high quality, affordable facilities for the borough's aspiring gymnasts," the spokeswoman added."However, we are continuing to work to find a different solution to provide high quality, affordable facilities for the borough's aspiring gymnasts," the spokeswoman added.