Guests welcomed as first part of new Selsey gym is opened

It is the only part of the Thrive Selsey Wellness Centre that has been able to open so far, due to an industry-wide shortage of gym equipment.

Owner Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade, said: “It’s really sad, we were really hoping to open the whole complex in one go.”

Instead visitors will have to wait a few more weeks to enjoy the rest of the facility in Ellis Square, off Manor Road, which will include a main gym, plant-based juice and coffee bar, and treatment rooms.

Getting to this stage has already taken Mr Byrne two years and two planning applications.

After the new owners of Checkatrade decided not to take on the partly-complete building, Mr Byrne drew up plans for it to be converted into a two-level gym,

But Chichester District Council’s planning committee refused the change of use back in July 2018, with councillors arguing that the offices had not been marketed for long enough.

Mr Byrne was forced to put the building back on the market, but after it attracted ‘zero interest’ permission to use it as a gym was finally granted in April of this year – see more here.

Since then, the team has worked hard to prepare it for opening.

Mr Byrne said the building looked ‘amazing’, adding that interest had been high among residents keen to shift their lockdown pounds.

“We’ve already got 60 members, it’s been very, very popular,” he said. “People can’t wait for it to open.”

He added: “Most people say it’s just appalling you weren’t allowed to do it two years ago.”

The ShapeMaster Suite at the gym features power assisted equipment which makes it ideal for elderly people or those who have had an injury.

To find out more, visit the gym website at www.thriveselsey.com