Anytime Fitness to transform former nightclub

Walsall Council has accepted Anytime Fitness’ proposal to transform the former Vogue nightclub into a 24-hour gym.

A Birmingham venue is set to be undergo a dramatic renovation through Anytime Fitness. The global health and fitness company, that operates over 3,000 franchised locations across the globe, has had its application to turn the former Vogue nightclub into a 24-hour gym.

The change will be welcome news for the Walsall area, as the nightclub had been blighted by violence in recent years. In December 2017, a 20-year old died as the result of stab wounds they received when a mass brawl broke out in front of the venue (then called UNIT). Footage of the incident posted on Facebook showed over 20 people involved in the incident.

The beleaguered venue closed in January 2018. Anytime Fitness plans to turn the building into a state-of-the-art gym, spanning two floors and filled with the latest fitness equipment.

“This is good news for the town,” said town councillor Aftab Nawaz. “There has been lots of anti-social behaviour going on here and a new clientele of people should improve things.”

The planning documents states that the new facility will be a “24-hour gymnasium, enclosing the existing smoking terrace on the first floor.” Anytime Fitness also wants to replace six new air conditioning units and new shop front doors.

According to Anytime Fitness’ Sheldon Ven, the company selected Walsall town centre as a strategic addition to the company’s growing portfolio and one of the Black Country’s major population centres:

“For the community, Anytime Fitness Franchisees adopt underutilised or vacant properties and generate capital investment in property renovation and fit-out. Anytime Fitness believes this application is in general consistency with the relevant planning policies at the nation, regional and local levels.”

With over 3,5000 franchised outlets in over 29 countries, Anytime Fitness offers its members 24-hr access to its facilities, 365 days of the year. It has over 3 million club members across the world.