Goldie and UB40 urge Birmingham City Council to save a martial arts gym

Passionate parents have backed stars Goldie and UB40 in urging Birmingham planners to save a martial arts gym.

Kombat Martial Arts, based at Clonmel Road Business Park in Stirchley, supports children with a range of disabilities. Youngsters who attend the much-loved gym learn how to defend themselves and also key skills for life outside the dojo. Talented instructors teach discipline, look to boost students’ confidence and even hold schools to account if a child reports being bullied.

But the venue, home to four-time British kickboxing champion Jamal Graham, and seen as a pillar in the community, is at risk of closure. Birmingham City Council recently rejected a planning application for the gym to continue operating at its current site and for its unit to be moved from industrial to leisure use.

It means Kombat will need to relocate or close for good if a third planning application is rejected in the coming weeks. Walsall-born Goldie, famous for roles in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch and James Bond flick The World is Not Enough, said in an email that the planning decision was “questionable”.

The successful DJ, real name Clifford Price, told how he wished he’d found a gym like Kombat as a troubled youth. He praised its lead instructor, Imran Majid, as a “stand-up guy” doing “great work for his community”.

Matt Campbell, part of UB40’s management, speaking on behalf of the legendary band, said the group supported the gym’s “great work” and did not want to see it close. He added it was in the “public interest” for the club to remain open following the “decimation of local services”.

Parents react over fears Kombat Martial arts could close

Parents of children at Kombat also praised the venue, its trainers and said it would be a “disaster” if it shut. Mum Puja Puri Dadrah told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “My two kids absolutely love it; they attend every week. My daughter is 12 and she’s built up a lot of confidence since starting. We wanted to make sure she felt comfortable in the world and able to stick up for herself.”

Ms Dadrah added that her five-year-old son was very boisterous at home but had started to learn discipline thanks to the “amazing teachers”. Another mum, Carly Eden, said she “cannot praise” the club enough. I wanted my little boy to have some confidence as he was going through the years – it’s made such a difference with everything.” She added that her family would be affected “massively” if Kombat ceased to exist.

Mum Samina said her two children had learned “self-respect and discipline” due to the “brilliant staff”. She added: “With my daughter, I worry about her being out and about because she’s very fragile and sensitive. But since coming here I’ve noticed her confidence has improved and she now knows how to react in certain situations. As a mum, it gives me confidence that she will be able to protect herself in some sort of way. I’d be gutted if the gym closed down.”

Kings Heath parents Tom and Kareena Willott said they had finally found a club that’s “right” for their children. “It’s really nice having somewhere local because a lot of centres are in town,” said Kareena. “The teachers are lovely and, considering its a self-defence class, they’re really nurturing and kind. They make it really fun whilst also teaching them skills. It would be such a shame if people could no longer come here – it’s a lovely community.”

Yellow belt student Jude Watson said he “couldn’t imagine” his life without Kombat. “It’s improved every single area of my life,” added the youngster.

What has Kombat Martial Arts said about the gym?

Kombat boss Imran, who grew up in the area, said he loved to “give back to the community”. “It’s not just about what they do in the dojo,” he added.

“We have a really strong after care. When they go out of here, if they have problems, we encourage parents to tell us as much as they can so that we can help. If they’re being bullied at school we will get in touch with teachers to give them a kick up the bum to make sure they’re being proactive and getting it sorted. Nine times out of ten, the problem is extinguished.”

A third planning application has been put before the council. The authority said it could not comment on the situation while a live application was being reviewed.