Karate kids fighting against recession

Its joint founder Matt Milchard believes it could be a better time than ever to encourage people to learn some fighting moves while also keeping fit.

He said: "The recession concerned us at first but we thought martial arts is a growing sport and everyone needs fitness.

"There's a downturn on but there's also a lot of media now about healthy living. Perhaps it's more important now than ever before."

Matt, 35, has run a sister company, Pyramid, which supplies models, actors and entertainers from its North Greenwich base, for the last 10 years.

But being a former karate trainer he had long wanted to return to the sport and finally got the inspiration when he met British champion Jamie Wood, 21, just three months ago.

Matt and Jamie built a specially made gym in a large spare room of the Pyramid building, near the south side of the Blackwall Tunnel.

Since opening, Matt, who lives in Burrells Wharf on the Isle of Dogs, believes it has offered something else to the martial arts scene.

He sees the club as having important community responsibilities.

He said: "It's not a church hall that you have to put up and down for every session. These are quality facilities.

"A key element is that everyone who comes here becomes personal friends and we have days out such as go-karting.

"Thanks to our connection with our sister group we put on social events such as pantos and discos."

The duo now have plans for growth and aim to expand in the near future.

Matt said: "We thought, let's start here, build it up and grow. We are having talks to set something else up in Canary Wharf, perhaps connected to a gym or else in our own space.

"We want to do this soon, before the end of the year."

Championship winner

Pyramid instructor Jamie celebrated winning a British title last month.

The International Sport Karate Association championship was held in the Midlands and will now see Jamie, who won the Under-75kg title, take on Europe's best.

Jamie, a former junior champion, said: "It was really hard as I had not done much competition in years. You expect it to be difficult but it's only when you are there you realise exactly how hard.

"I went there to give it my best and I didn't come expecting to win.

"But it is good for the club and for the students to know their instructor has a British title."