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Anger after squash club battlers are kicked out
TWO protesters fighting against the development of a famous squash club have had their memberships terminated.
Clan Real Estates applied to demolish the popular Lambs Squash Club in Lamb's Passage, Finsbury, and replace it with a nine-storey block of flats.
The club - sold to the developers for £4million by former club owner Mike Corby - is considered by enthusiasts to be the squash equivalent of Wimbledon.
Club member Ken Pottinger set up a campaign to save it, gaining support from former Islington South and Finsbury MP Chris Smith.
And earlier this month Islington Council's assistant director of planning, Graham Loveland, threw out the application after more than 200 objections.
Mr Loveland said: "The existing sports facilities on site contribute to the character and liveliness of the area, and play an important role in the borough and the wider area in the provision of indoor sports facilities."
But the protesters received a blow when Mr Pottinger and ladies' captain Tania Loughran's memberships were terminated.
Mr Pottinger said: "Thanks to the success of the campaign, Mike Corby has thrown us out of the club. This is totally unacceptable. As president of Squash England, he is responsible for developing the game at grassroots level. It's a little invidious to start chucking out members just because they've voiced their opinions."
Mr Corby said: "Tania Loughran has had a free membership for the past 18 months because she is meant to be helping us. It was terminated because she said and wrote things that are creating confusion and bewilderment among our staff.
"It's a shame but the campaigners have to accept that squash at Lambs is dead. Even if the planning permission is refused again the courts will be turned into a gymnasium.
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