After four years of getting youngsters involved in martial arts a thriving club has moved to a new venue.

Richard Calver and his wife, Katie, run Fakenham Martial Arts that specialises in the Korean art of Kuk Sool Won.

It had been run from Colkirk Parish Hall and the Fakenham Sports and Fitness Centre and has now moved into a former pets business premises.

The Calver family have helped transform the former pet store into a dojang.The Calver family have helped transform the former pet store into a dojang. (Image: Richard Calver)

Classes were held on Thursdays and Sundays, and Mondays and Fridays from the respective venues.

In the four years since Fakenham Martial Arts' inception the school has gained around 80 students, which prompted the couple to start looking for a new home.

Mr Calver, 36, the school owner and head instructor, said he had seen an advert for the former Pets Paradise building on Hempton Road near Fakenham, which closed earlier this year. 

He said: "We had been looking for something for about a year.

"I'd firstly like to say that the teams at Colkirk Parish Hall and the sports centre have been amazing to us and we wouldn't have been able to get through these years without them. 

The school held its first class in the new premises on August 12.The school held its first class in the new premises on August 12. (Image: Richard Calver)
"But we are also really excited about this new development."

Mr Calver said the new premises, which is also being shared with a dog grooming business, will be better for the students. 

"They can now have training catered for their ranks and, from a personal perspective, it makes things umpteen times easier now we don't have to move between two different venues," he said.

The new venue was also well-received from students during their first session.

The school came fourth at the Kuk Sool Won Euopean Championships in June.The school came fourth at the Kuk Sool Won Euopean Championships in June. (Image: Richard Calver)
"The session was really positive except for it being 30 degrees.

"In all seriousness though, we received loads of really great compliments and the parents said how happy they were with it, so it went really well."

Mr Calver also thanked his wife, who has a first-degree black belt and his daughter, who has a second-degree black belt, for their help moving into the building in just four days.

For those looking to join, call Mr Calver on 07510 069519.