A FORMER Newport boxing champion is angry at Newport City Homes after being told he can’t use a back room in his mum’s hair salon to store boxing equipment.

Newport City Homes has said the tenancy agreement states that the premises, Ringland Hair Studio in Ringland Circle, can only be used as a hairdressers.

Ex-Welsh middleweight champion Lee Churcher was storing the equipment in the salon, intending to start a gym and boxing studio a few doors away in a different building.

Mr Churcher, 35, from Ringland, said: “I spent £8,000 on equipment and got bags, bikes and all that – so I needed somewhere to store my equipment.

“I’ve not been using the room at the back of the shop for training – just for storage.

“I’ve been told I need to remove all the equipment from the back room by next Thursday and that, if I don’t, they’ll take the hairdressers lease."

Mr Churcher said that the shop is a hair salon and that it has never stopped being one.

He said that his mum has received court letters.

He said: “It’s unbelievable. This is causing us immense problems.

“I’ve insurance, I’m a qualified personal trainer and boxer and have first aid training – but it’s still not good enough for them.

“They say they want to help the community, but they’re doing the opposite. They’re spoiling it for us.

“It’s disgusting.”

Director of operations Rob Lynbeck said: “We have been working with Mr Churcher for more than 18 months to address this and help him continue to run a gym in the area.

“We understand the value of community facilities and therefore offered an alternative premises nearby that would be more suitable.

“We even secured permission from the council for it to be used as a gym.

“We also discussed with Mr Churcher the possibility of some financial support in meeting the first year’s rent. However, our offer was not taken up.

“We are always keen to support anything that has wider community benefits.

“Unfortunately, buildings are only licensed for certain activities. In this case, the tenancy agreement states the original premises can only be used as a hairdressers and isn’t suitable for a boxing gym.”