Brixton Street Gym secures Herne Hill site for two-year relocation
Lambeth Council approves temporary move to Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate while Somerleyton Road regeneration continues
Incident → evidence → outcomeBrixton Street Gym will leave its Somerleyton Road home for two years after Lambeth Council granted planning permission for a temporary site in Herne Hill. The decision, made on 28 July 2026, allows the charity-run gym to occupy two units at the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate on Milkwood Road until 2028.
The move follows the start of regeneration work on Somerleyton Road, where the gym’s permanent home is being rebuilt. The new development will not be ready until 2030, two years after the temporary permission expires. What happens to the gym after 2028 remains unclear.
Why the gym needed to move
Block WorkOut Foundation, the charity behind the gym, applied for the temporary relocation to avoid closing during construction. The organisation offers free fitness sessions, mentoring and youth programmes to residents in Brixton and wider Lambeth. Last year, it ran 48 free community sessions and provided 35 fully-funded gym memberships.
Terroll Lewis, who founded the charity over a decade ago, told the Planning Committee that many young people using the gym face challenges including gang involvement and limited opportunities. He said the gym provides a safe space for them to build confidence and discipline. MyLondon reported his comments.
“Many of the young people we support are facing real challenges, some are vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Some are under the fringes of gangs, and many simply lack positive opportunities. We create a safe space where they can channel their energy into something positive.”
The charity’s outreach centre will also move to the temporary site. This allows staff and volunteers to continue structured programmes for young people and families. The gym plans to open from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays once the relocation is complete.
What the council decided
The Planning Committee voted unanimously to approve the application on 28 July 2026. Councillor Viktor Westerdahl proposed extending the temporary permission to three and a half years, but the motion did not receive enough support. The original two-year term was approved as recommended by council officers.
The two units at the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate will return to their previous uses after the temporary permission ends. One unit is already vacant, while the other is currently used for storage by a manufacturing business. The gym’s lease will not affect the estate’s long-term plans.
What happens next
Brixton Street Gym will now prepare to move to the Milkwood Road site. The charity has not announced an exact date for the relocation. Residents can continue to access free sessions and programmes once the new site opens. The gym’s permanent home on Somerleyton Road is expected to be ready in 2030.
Questions this report answers
01Why is Brixton Street Gym moving?
The gym is relocating temporarily because its permanent home on Somerleyton Road is being rebuilt as part of a regeneration scheme. Lambeth Council approved a two-year move to the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate in Herne Hill to allow the gym to continue operating during construction.
02How long will the gym stay at the temporary site?
The temporary planning permission lasts for two years, expiring in 2028. The Somerleyton Road regeneration scheme will not be completed until 2030, so the gym’s long-term plans after 2028 are not yet confirmed.
03What services does the gym provide?
Brixton Street Gym, run by charity Block WorkOut Foundation, offers free fitness sessions, mentoring and youth programmes. Last year, it engaged around 160 children and young people, provided 35 fully-funded memberships and ran 48 free community sessions.
04When will the gym’s new permanent home be ready?
The Somerleyton Road regeneration scheme, which includes a new permanent space for the gym, is expected to be completed in 2030. The temporary relocation to Herne Hill will last until 2028, leaving a two-year gap before the new site is available.
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