Dear Supporters,

We wanted to let you know about a significant development in our campaign to save the CYMCA facilities. Patrick Joy, a Central YMCA Club member, has applied for an interim injunction against the Central Young Men’s Christian Association and Criterion Capital Limited. If granted, this injunction could prevent the scheduled closure of the Club on February 7th.

An interim injunction is a temporary court order sought before a full claim is filed. It can compel a party to either stop or start a specific action for a set period.

Patrick has pursued this legal avenue because efforts to bring all parties together to discuss a pause in the closure process have failed. He says that through the way it has conducted the closure, CYMCA has failed to take reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm to him, a long-standing club user who relies on the club for his health and well-being. He is also very concerned that the sale, which was done secretively, may have been conducted improperly, and he wishes to give the court an opportunity to look into this.

The hearing will take place at the High Court, Rolls Building, Fetter Lane, EC4A 1NL, commencing at 10:30am this Friday, January 31st. It is requested to be 90 minutes, but could be shorter.

We urge you to join us outside the court to show your support for Mr. Joy and the YMCA. Your presence will make a powerful statement. Unfortunately, the court room will not have capacity to accommodate Patrick’s supporters.

Lastly, to maximize our impact and ensure our voices are heard, we need your support! We're asking all supporters to take these key actions: share the petition, donate to the campaign and email your MP urging them to submit a PMQ by this Thursday, and contact Criterion Capital by email/letter saying why the club means so much to you and politely requesting a 6 month pause.

By taking these steps together, we can send a strong message. 

Sincerely,

Save the YMCA Committee

WAYS YOU CAN HELP 

1. Donate to the Save the YMCA campaign

2. Friday 31st January: Attend the High Court to show your support for Pat at the interim injunction. If you’d like our media release, to forward onto PR, please email media@savetheymcaclub.org  

3. MP’s & Prime Minister's Question: Email your MP and ask them to submit a Prime Minister's Question by midday on Thursday 30th January. 

We’d ideally like this question asked to Keir Starmer: 

“Prime Minister, shared local facilities act as foundations for communities across the UK. As you know, the Central YMCA Club in your constituency is under threat of being sold to private developer Asif Aziz, owner of Criterion Capital. If it closes on the 7th February, thousands of local residents will be deprived of vital services. Given the significant impact this would have on the physical and mental well-being of the community. What is the Prime Minister doing to ensure that this vital community resource is fully preserved for the people who rely on it?”

Please explain to your MP the sale of the YMCA and why it’s so important.

4. Write a letter to Criterion Capital: Personalise your letter & email but please keep it respectful and try to include the following points. 

Tell him briefly why the CYMCA means so much to you.

Strongly request a 6-month extension of the Central YMCA Club's operation beyond the planned closure date of February 7, 2024.
Ask them to meet with the YMCA Campaign Committee. 

Copy your MP.

Thank you for your support!