Legendary Putney gym at risk of closure due to rent increase
Physical Culture, a historic gym in Putney, South West London, is fighting for survival after its landlord, Places for London, proposed a significant rent hike. The gym, which has operated under railway arches since 1928, is one of the oldest powerlifting gyms in the UK and has trained Olympians, Commonwealth Games medallists, and even George Hackenschmidt, the first World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.
Rent increase threatens gym's future
Chris Quinn, who has run the gym since the late 1980s, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the gym is facing its biggest challenge yet. After struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic, Places for London proposed raising the annual rent from £26,500 to £45,000. Following negotiations, a stepped rent rising to £41,500 over three years was agreed, but now the landlord wants to increase rent by inflation plus one per cent from November. Quinn said: "The problem for us is that everything was fine up to the pandemic, and since the pandemic we’ve just been in survival mode."
Community support and Asset of Community Value status
Physical Culture secured Asset of Community Value status from Wandsworth Council in 2024, giving the community six months to bid if the gym is put up for sale. Despite this recognition, the gym still faces the rent increase. Quinn noted that the base rent is already unaffordable for independent businesses and that grants suggested by Places for London would not provide long-term sustainability.
Gym's irreplaceable role in the community
During a visit to the gym, members emphasized its role in providing local strength training, fostering community, and helping people age well. Quinn said: "You’re all the same when you’re in the gym... it forces people into communities. They get camaraderie, but it’s a natural way to do it." The gym's website states: "Preserving this space means preserving a living piece of local heritage, not as a museum, but as a working, active community asset."
Places for London's response
A spokesperson for Places for London said: "We hugely value the contribution made by small and medium size businesses on our estate... We recognise Physical Culture’s history and contributions, and are working closely with them and the GLA to ensure it continues to be financially viable." They added that the proposed increase is only RPI+1 per cent and that they have offered support.
Donations to help the gym can be made via its website.
