Recession to close 6,000 sports clubs - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Recession to close 6,000 sports clubs

Around 6,000 community sports clubs are likely to close this year as the recession bites, according to a survey published today.

In the study of 160 clubs by the Central Council of Physical Recreation, 4.3 per cent said it was "likely" or "very likely" they would be forced to shut, the equivalent of 6,000 nationwide.

CCPR chair Brigid Simmonds, speaking at her group's annual conference in London, called on ministers to protect grassroots sports by curbing "endless" regulations.

She said: "Sport needs all the support it can get but from the reception we get in some government departments you would think we were selling cigarettes or fatty foods, rather than sport."

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