Young boxer strikes out with community gym venture in village

FORMER SLAUGHTERHOUSE TRANSFORMED

- By TOM KEIGHLEY

A YOUNG boxer who tragically lost his dad to cancer has poured his energies into building a community gym in the village of North Somercotes.

Tarn Nicholls has spent the last six weeks transforming an empty former slaughterhouse into an “old school” boxing gym which he hopes will inspire young people and adults in the area.

The 22 year-old, who was formerly a builder, was introduced to the sport by his dad who died in December last year. Having stopped boxing to care for his dad, Tarn was encouraged to start training again by his wife.

It led to an idea that the bouncer could create his own “spit and sawdust” space on a budget. And soon he sought out the empty unit on Keeling Street which runs through the centre of the East Lindsey village, in an area where Tarn says there are few boxing facilities.