'Roger Gracie North Bristol is here to stay’ - ‘Victory’ as Bristol martial arts club saved from closure

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A martial arts club in Bristol is celebrating after a u-turn by the city council means it can now stay put. 

Roger Gracie North Bristol was fearful it would have to move after being informed just a few weeks ago of council plans to put its home on Greystoke Avenue in Southmead up for public auction.    

In a statement to BristolWorld earlier this week, the council said the former Southmead Youth Club building “did not meet the requirements of current council services and is now being put up for sale”.

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But now, following a 1,000-strong petition, the council has said the jiu jitsu club can buy the old youth centre, the neighbouring former library and a memorial garden - which was also at risk of being relocated.

Roger Gracie North Bristol is buying the former Southmead Youth Club building so it does not have to move from its current siteRoger Gracie North Bristol is buying the former Southmead Youth Club building so it does not have to move from its current site
Roger Gracie North Bristol is buying the former Southmead Youth Club building so it does not have to move from its current site | Luke Chamberlain

“VICTORY!,” wrote Luke Chamberlain - who has run Roger Gracie North Bristol with his brother Clayton since 2020 - on his Facebook profile today (August 15).  

“[Yesterday] we received a formal offer from Bristol City Council to purchase the former Southmead Youth Centre and library buildings along with the adjoining memorial garden.

“This morning we accepted that offer and look forward to completion.

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“Thank you so much to all that supported this petition to keep these crucial community benefitting assets in Southmead.

“We look forward to many more years of serving the community and helping create a better place for all.

“Roger Gracie North Bristol is here to stay.”

The jiu jitsu club, which has over 500 members, now plans to continue their work along with retaining the current care service in the former library building. 

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Should the library space become vacant, the club also has ambitions to transform it into a wellness and fitness hub, promoting physical and mental health improvement.

This could include a dedicated community area with a cafe, the club says, to bring people together and build stronger social bonds.

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