Additional reporting by Gabriel Morris, Local Democracy Reporter
Gym bosses say they are not worried about the potential arrival of a huge luxury health and fitness complex – as it will attract a “completely different clientele”.
David Lloyd Leisure, which charges monthly membership fees starting from £139 elsewhere in Kent, wants to open a new facility near Sainsbury’s at Altira Park in Herne Bay.
New images show how the gym – which would be the town’s sixth – could look, with councillors set to give it the green light at a meeting tonight.
But current operators who charge far less say they are not concerned about facing new competition – and question whether people will be able to afford David Lloyd’s hefty costs.
In its application to Canterbury City Council (CCC), the national chain says it wants to build “a new leisure club, a tennis court enclosure, external pool, terrace areas and external sports facilities”.
Bosses previously said it would create 80 to 100 jobs, as well as 60 construction roles.
New computer-generated imagery of the sprawling complex – set to be the size of two-and-a-half football pitches – shows its 226-space car park and outdoor swimming pool, complete with dozens of sun loungers.
It will also have floodlit, fenced multi-use courts, a specialist court for padel, as well as a spa garden, a cafe, and 20 cycle spaces.
Herne Bay is already home to Snap Fitness, SweatStop, Musclehut, Herons Leisure Centre run by Active Life, and James Fitness.
However, Sam Shergold, owner of SweatStop, says he is not fearful of competition from David Lloyd.
“Obviously it’s a massive chain so of course it’s going to attract members into it,” he told KentOnline.
“I think as a gym we are a very different concept to David Lloyd so we’re not overly worried.
“We’re more of a community gym. We know all of our members by name and I think you can’t really replace that.”
His premises in New Street runs 24 hours a day and monthly memberships start at £32.
Mr Shergold continued: “There are a lot of gyms in Herne Bay, but there are also a lot of people – so I think there’s enough demand for there to be multiple gyms.
“I’m from London – there are a lot of David Lloyds there and they work really well, but we’ll see how it works in Kent.”
Matt Russell, co-owner of MuscleHut, added: “It won’t affect us – we’re two completely different clienteles.”
Describing David Lloyd as “luxury”, he continued: “You pay the premium – whether people in this day and age have got the money to afford that, I don’t know.
“If you’re having a bad day you can come in, sit down and have a chat with us – you won’t get that at David Lloyd.”
MuscleHut memberships cost £40 per month.
David Lloyd already has two Kent sites – one in Dartford and one in King’s Hill.
Another is set to be built on the abandoned Waterbrook Park in Ashford – a location previously earmarked for an Amazon warehouse.
It is not yet clear how much membership fees will cost at the Herne Bay facility, but in Dartford, prices start from £139 a month.
It increases to £219 per month for the ‘diamond package’ which includes access to all facilities.
David Lloyd’s new clubs acquisition director Stuart Caswell previously said: “Altira Park is a fantastic development, easily accessible for people in Herne Bay and surrounding communities and we are delighted to be part of its promising future.
“Our plan is to construct a state-of-the-art health and wellness club that not only enhances the area and creates a range of new jobs and opportunities for the local community, but also reflects the needs of people living in the area”.
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Council officers are recommending the proposals be approved by the planning committee. There have been no objections from members of the public.