Three new gyms opening in Greenwich – possible threat to council services?

Plans are in for a new gym to open in a unit opposite Waitrose in Greenwich. This plan follows hot on the heels of a new gym on Creek Road in the Gramercy development.

The Gym Group are already fitting out the gym on Creek Road and opening looked imminent when I recently passed.

A gym is also likely in the Peltons development on Blackwall Lane in east Greenwich with planning permission being sought.

The Movement development in Greenwich

Another gym exists at the Movement development by Greenwich station.

On the subject of gyms, what is happening with the former Arches leisure centre site in east Greenwich? One arm of Greenwich Council apparently purchased it from another almost two years ago:

When the Arches closed services moved down the road to the Greenwich Centre on Trafalgar Road. Since then the site has remained vacant.

Future of council leisure centres?

There was a story last week on the BBC highlighting the squeeze on council-run gyms and leisure centres. Greenwich’s services and libraries are now operated by arms-length company Better and have been a success story.

What effect will the growth in low-cost, short-term membership gyms have on such local authority run facilities? Many budget gyms are less than £20 a month whilst the Greenwich Centre is £29.95.

Having pools alongside gyms can be used to entice members but for those who only attend gyms does the rise of low-cost gyms threaten user numbers in years to come? And if that happens will that impact upon library services?

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I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

4 thoughts on “Three new gyms opening in Greenwich – possible threat to council services?

  • Yeah, the gym group one is open already, it’s quite big and cheap.

    There is also the one at wood wharf and meridian at creek road. I really wonder what is this newcomer thinking why there would be market for another one.

    Not sure why Greenwich Centre should (or would need to) compete, it’s miles away. They have an excellent swimming pool though.

    Reply
    • Greenwich Centre won’t need to compete with those in west Greenwich so much but the forthcoming gym over the road on Blackwell Lane. I guess also for people living in the middle. The cheap gyms are also often 24 hr. I recently read that there are less gyms per person in UK cities than many other developed nations and so a belief there’s scope for many more from investors.

      Reply
  • There’s another gym opening soon in the development by Ben and Jerry’s on the Woolwich Road. This is in addition to the one already next to Sainsbury’s.

    Reply
  • Pingback: Greenwich leisure centre membership numbers fall 10% – FromTheMurkyDepths

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