THE COMMUNITY are banding together in an attempt to save a martial arts academy.

The Martial Academy, in the old fire station in Civic Square, Tilbury, has been informed by Thurrock Council that the site will be demolished as part of regeneration plans, but no new site has been allocated.

And now, a petition has gained more than 1,000 signatures from residents urging the council to reconsider, or make space the the gym in regeneration plans.

The school specialises not only in teaching martial arts and fitness classes, but ensuring that disabled and vulnerable people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to take part in a range of health, wellbeing, and sporting activities - stating it is the only facility of that kind in the area.

The petition read: “The old fire station on civic square is home to Tilbury community’s only affordable health and well being charity ,The Martial Academy.

“The charity works closely with the local community and is the only one of its kind which offers a wide range of health,well being and sporting activities for all age groups and abilities, including disabled and vulnerable children and adults within the local area.

“Over two hundred members now benefit from the charity’s resources and activities In our community and local area.

“The health and well being of children and adults in our community is now showing improvement due to the commitment and hard work of our volunteer staff at the charity who have provided a seven day per week service to the community for the past five years.

The martial arts academy is hoping to convince Thurrock Council to allocate space for a gym in regeneration plans.

The petition added: “Thurrock council have recently informed us that they intend to demolish our current venue on civic square as part of their regeneration plans.

“However Thurrock council have not yet included The Martial Academy in it’s plans and we now face the closure of our facility and the essential activities we provide for the local community.

“Our charity is the only organisation that provides preventative health and well being measures to the community.”

Thurrock Council failed to respond to the Gazette’s request for comment.

As far as the Gazette is aware, the former fire station is earmarked for redevelopment to create a multi-million pound integrated medical centre.

Despite failing to respond, the council did state it initially wrote the The Martial Academy in May 2016.

Sign at change.org/p/thurrock-gov-uk-help-save-the-martial-academy