New £1million facility to 'elevate martial arts into the mainstream' opens in Marlow

One of the country’s largest jiu-jitsu schools has opened in Marlow following a seven-figure investment.

The Roger Gracie Academy offers Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), kickboxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts in its new state-of-the-art venue in Globe Business Park.

A ‘huge list’ of celebrities from the world of Jiu-jitsu and kickboxing attended the opening ceremony on Saturday, September 6, and member Ross Kemp delivered a speech about the importance of the centre to the community.

Among the ‘big name’ film stunt performers in attendance were Chloe Bruce and Olivia Jackson, as well as BJJ world champion Ffion Davies.

“Seeing the [celebrity] turnout has shown the quality and seriousness of what we do, but seeing all the families and happy members turn up, in their hundreds, is what it's really about,” said founder Paul Busby.

“It's always been about the community; it wouldn't have been possible without the incredible amount of help and support that we've received.

“I, along with everyone here, am eternally grateful to everyone who has made this happen.”

The 46-year-old had been eyeing the unit for nearly a decade, as the previous centre was ‘bursting at the seams’ for his 500-strong student cohort of four to 64-year-olds.

The £1million build began in January, and the new two-floor centre is down the road from where Paul founded Genesis Gym and Kickboxing more than a decade ago.

“We’ve been slow burning this for three decades, so if there was ever a time to risk building the biggest thing that’s ever been done, it’s now,” he previously told the Advertiser.

“We’ve also been in Marlow for nearly 30 years, so the kids that were four years old back in 1996 are parents that bring their kids here."

Around 400 people of all ages attended the opening event, eager to see Paul cut the ribbon and unveil the transformed warehouse, which is now home to the largest combat centre in the South East.

“Unbelievably, we've been building this community for 29 years in Marlow. From the village and school halls we started in, to where we are today, we have been - a hopefully very positive - part of so many lives in that time,” said Paul.

“Marlow is now the home to one of the biggest and brightest martial arts academies in the world.

"This facility has the chance to elevate martial arts into a mainstream audience. It will hopefully serve the local area for a very long time to come.”

The school is linked to UFC and Brazilian jiu-jitsu exponent Roger Gracie, and will be open seven days a week from 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 2pm on weekends.

Visit www.rgamarlow.com for more information.