ExY Club London

26/02/2026

🔔 A major new investigation by LondonCentric highlights wider questions around the business practices of Criterion Capital, the landlord of the former Central YMCA building.

We are continuing to monitor the situation carefully and will be sharing updates soon on the building’s application for national listing and the campaign to return it to public use.

10/04/2025

🏛️ The Central YMCA Club building is one of England’s most striking and well-preserved examples of Brutalist architecture — a bold feat of design, engineering, and social vision.

Together with the Twentieth Century Society, we've submitted listing applications that highlight its immense architectural and cultural value.

Meanwhile, despite claiming to "elevate communities," Criterion Capital opposed the building’s designation as an Asset of Community Value — and may seek to block the heritage listing too. (More on that soon.)

📣 Public support will be vital to protect this important piece of our shared history.

22/02/2025

With many members willing to pay more and fees reportedly unchanged for years, there’s real hope for a sustainable future. Could testing new solutions be the key to the Club’s revival?

21/02/2025

🔹 The fight isn’t over! Stay tuned—more detailed updates coming soon!

11/02/2025

“The closure ... is due to greed, nothing else—somebody wants to make some money.” 💸🏃🏃The world’s first YMCA is closed, but this story is far from over. Stay tuned. 👀



video by , interviewee

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10/02/2025

“There won’t be anything left for the community, London will just be full of hotels. We’ve already seen what the effects of that have been in certain parts of London. And I don’t think Keir Starmer wants that to be his legacy.”

Save our YMCA speaking to commentator Grace Blakeley



Central YMCA Club Criterion Capital World YMCA Keir Starmer

I spoke to the Save our YMCA campaign about their battle against property developers Criterion Capital

09/02/2025

In this member interview, it reveals many members are ‘upset at the board of Trustees at the YMCA, believing that they not only let members down but effectively did their best to help Criterion Capital instead of their own members.’

Last December it was announced that a secretive sale had been made by Central YMCA of the worlds first YMCA in London to hotel and property developer Criterion Capital.

Save our YMCA are seeking a meeting with Criterion Capital to facilitate a 6 month pause to the closure and decommissioning of the club, so that a long term plan for community use of the facility can be reached. Last week Rachel Blake MP raised this issue in Parliament.

https://www.newsflare.com/video/719354/interview-with-paul-atherton-the-newest-member-of-the-worlds-oldest-ymca-which-shut-its-doors-for-the-last-time



Central YMCA Club Criterion Capital World YMCA

Interview with Paul Atherton the newest member of the Worlds oldest YMCA which shut its doors for the last time The very last day of the world's oldest YMCA. The YMCA was founded on the site in 1844 and has had a significant presence ever since. Providing both physical activity as well as art and cr...

09/02/2025

A deeply emotional article about the closure of the Central YMCA on Friday.

Last December it was announced that a secretive sale had been made by Central YMCA to hotel and property developer Criterion Capital.

Save our YMCA are seeking a meeting with Criterion Capital to facilitate a 6 month pause to the closure and decommissioning of the club, so that a long term plan for community use of the facility can be reached. Last week Rachel Blake MP raised this issue in Parliament.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14375785/Worlds-oldest-YMCA-closes-doors-time-just-luxury-hotel-London.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton

Central YMCA Club Criterion Capital

The huge 116,000 sq ft building on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, near the British Museum, was sold to developers Criterion Capital in December.

08/02/2025

This morning, Central YMCA's marketing team invited people to share their YMCA stories on Instagram.

If you're truly listening, we have plenty to share. Here’s one that stands out.

We have countless stories about the club’s history—and even more about the devastating impact its closure will have on people’s lives.

Camden Council Central YMCA Club Keir Starmer