New martial arts centre to open in former Scarborough fish merchants

Andy Desa has been granted permission to transform the Albert Sutton Fish Merchants in Barry’s Lane by Scarborough Council planning officers.

Mr Desa is a 10-times Martial Arts World Champion and 7th Dan Black Belt, International Combat Organisation coach for Great Britain and mentor for Olympic Team Great Britain.

He founded Desapline Martial Arts 25 years ago and currently trains out of the Employees Welfare Club in Dean Road, which is no longer fit for the purpose of the club.

Planning officers granted permission for the club’s new home after no objections were received during a consultation period.

The officers’ report noted: “The property has been vacant for some time and underwent refurbishment in 2018 in order to be marketed.

“It is intended that the Martial Arts Centre would operate daily with classes from 5.30pm until 9pm.

“The aim of the development is to allow the current operation to expand allowing the introducing both new members and coaches/staff.

“The supporting statement submitted within the application seeks to create a ‘Martial Arts Centre of Excellence in North of England with facilities unique to Scarborough.”

Mr Desa also wrote that the club currently has a potential Tokyo 2020 Olympian in Taekwondo who is a student but she has to travel to London to train, as the facilities are not available to her in Scarborough.