Eric punches the air with delight

Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Club founder Eric Noi is celebrating after planners approved his plans for a town centre venue.

And he plans to launch his new enterprise with a lunch-time event featuring boxing legend Ricky Hatton next month.

Oldham Council has given permision for the change of use for Victoria House in Greaves Street, Oldham, the former housing office and commercial college.

The club is currently based at the Derker Annex where it delivered community-based work. Last month, the Chronicle revealed his plans for boxing lessons and keep-fit classes, as well as projects which use sport to help people tackle alcohol and drug misuse.

Now he hopes more people will get involved in accredited training opportunities and personal development classes as well as amateur boxing.

He said: “It could be open in September or October.

“We are putting funding together with partners and stakeholders. It is an Oldham project for Oldham people.

“The council has been visionary in granting us a lease and we will invest a considerable amount in refurbishing the building and adding value.”

He will announce more plans for the building and formally launch the project at the Old Bill Restaurant, opposite Victoria House, with Hyde’s famous boxing legend Ricky Hatton on June 14.