York Hall, one of east London's most renowned boxing venues, could remain shut until next year after a potentially deadly bacteria outbreak was discovered. The arena and leisure facilities on Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, were closed three months ago following an inspection that found Legionella bacteria in the venue's hot water system.
The bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease, a form of pneumonia, when inhaled with water vapour or mist. Works to remedy the problem could cost Tower Hamlets Council more than £900,000 after loss of earnings are factored in.
Historic venue's closure and costs
The complex, containing the historic boxing space as well as a swimming pool, gym and spa, was closed on July 15 following scheduled screening. A report to Tower Hamlets Council said the building's ageing pipework has made reopening the centre "harder than expected".
Legionella has now also been discovered in the centre's cold water system, "despite extensive treatment". Additionally, some fixtures supporting "redundant" sections of pipework are made of cancer-causing asbestos and have to be removed.
The report said: "York Hall is nearly 100 years old and has a complex water system, some of it original. There is no complete record of the pipework and some pipes cannot be traced. For these reasons, it is taking longer than expected to eradicate the Legionella."
Reopening timeline and communication concerns
Councillors have been told the venue could reopen in early 2027, although insiders have suggested the wait will drag on longer. One manager at the site cautioned that the January target might be missed if future tests continue to show contamination.
The document said York Hall's closure could cost the council around £924,000 in lost income and repairs. Work to remove the asbestos will continue until Friday November 6, with attention then turning to the pipes, scheduled for between Monday 9 and Friday November. Later in November, the water systems will have to be cleaned and disinfected, with three rounds of water sampling carried out towards the end of next month.
The council expects test results back by December 11, potentially allowing York Hall to reopen in January, but only if all three tests are clear and the council receives independent confirmation that the water systems are safe.
Council questioned over communication
Speaking to councillors on Monday, one unnamed leisure service manager said: "We can't provide a firm date. We're giving indicative dates and hoping we get to that stage with three clear results. But past results have come back positive and there is a possibility that that might not happen."
Councillors questioned managers over the closure at a committee meeting held on the same day. Green Party councillor Rupert George said the council had not been "upfront" with the public about why York Hall had closed. He said: "An immediate notification of the public would have shown the council being in control, and that communication didn't happen."
Aspire Party councillor Halima Islam, who represents Bethnal Green East ward, also said communication about the discovery came late, noting there had been "many residents contacting us about York Hall". Senior council manager David Joyce said the council sent updates on the closure to members of York Hall, but added: "Not everyone is a member who uses York Hall and I think we could have been more proactive. I think you are right that we didn't do well enough in this space."
