Mercia Boxing Club Secures £521,000 Funding Boost to Revive Community Hub

Mercia Boxing Club has received a significant boost after securing £521,000 in funding to restore the long-disused Layfields Community Centre, so that it can once again serve local residents—in particular young people.

The club, which successfully applied for funding through Sport England’s initiative under the Department for ‘Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Community Ownership Fund’, is leading the £750,000 renovation project. The centre had stood empty for seven years before Mercia Boxing Club took on the challenge of bringing it back to life.

Leicester City and former Aston Villa star Marc Albrighton officially opened the club, marking a major milestone in its transformation. The rejuvenated centre will provide a vital space for sport, fitness, and community engagement, reinforcing the club’s commitment to supporting young people and the wider community.

Local Mercian Councillor, Pat Pallett said: “Congratulations Mercia Boxing Club. You have done a really good job on the community centre. This is really good news. Good luck for the future and thank you to the councillors who came along to the event.”