Ex-Coventry nightclub could become 24-hour gym

A former Coventry city centre nightclub could open as a 24-hour budget gym.



Yorkshire-based Pure Gym wants to take over the two-storey Lava and Ignite venue at the Skydome.

A decision to permit or refuse the application is set to be made by city council planning officers by October 13.

Some people living near the proposed Croft Road development have objected to the plan on the grounds there is not enough parking.

Pure Gym has 17 sites across the UK with a further 14 in the pipeline, and says the Coventry venue would open this winter if the application is successful.

Membership is under £10 a month and several jobs would be created, although exact numbers have not yet been confirmed.

Its website says: “We believe everyone should be able to keep fit and healthy, so we have stripped away unnecessary facilities such as saunas, cafe bars and fluffy towels and have replaced them with all the latest kit.”

In a letter of objection to Coventry City Council, members of the Starley Housing Co-operative say car parking could become even more of a problem in the area.

It says: “While Starley Road is under a residents-only parking scheme, this has proved to be unsuccessful in deterring persons from parking in the evening whilst visiting the nightclubs and other businesses within the Skydome.

“The applicant has not allowed for free parking for gym members and the pay and display car park to the rear of the Skydome is not open during the full planned opening hours of the gym.”

Pure Gym says it will not make any changes to the exterior of the building while the interior of the 2,293 sq m venue will be wheelchair-friendly.

Lava and Ignite closed in April last year and has been empty ever since.