A new gym is set to open in Coventry in a £1.5 million investment that could create around 30 new jobs.
Landlords Barberry Developments has confirmed that PureGym, the UK’s largest gym chain, has signed a 15-year lease on the 20,000 sq ft former nightclub at 50 Bishop Street in the city centre.
Barberry director Henry Bellfield said the company was spending £500,000 on improvements to the building, including stripping out internal walls and partitioning, fitting new doors and glazing, and refurbishing the roof.
PureGym is also expected to invest around £1 million on fitting out the gym with over 220 pieces of brand new exercise equipment, quality changing rooms and several different training zones with kettlebells, power plates and functional training areas.
The new Coventry PureGym will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help as many people as possible to fit exercise in to their daily routine.
The deal marks another major improvement to this area of the city centre. Adjacent to 50 Bishop Street, Coventry Transport Museum is being redeveloped in a £9 million project at its current site, a Grade I listed former grammar school, to create a world class visitor attraction.
Mr Bellfield said: “We are excited at the prospect of PureGym bringing its unique brand of health and fitness facilities to Bishop Street. It’s an excellent location in an up and coming area and I am sure it will be an enormous success.
“Coventry City Council’s planning department is to be applauded for its role, rapidly approving a change of use for the premises which allowed the deal to be completed.”
PureGym already operates in Coventry city centre, just a short distance away at the Skydome.
PureGym’s property director Angela Crawshaw said: “We are delighted to be opening a second PureGym in Coventry. Our club at the Skydome has been very successful, and by opening our second club in the city we look forward to making it easier for even more residents and visitors to Coventry to fit regular exercise in to their lifestyles.”
Agents Wright Silverwood and Colliers acted on behalf of Barberry.