New Caversham gym approved as cinema plan withdrawn

Reading Borough Council (RBC) approved plans on Friday, June 11 to turn a former college into a gym as part of plans to transform the St Martin’s Centre in Caversham.

Caversham Fitness Club will open in July at the Archway Road site, which was formerly home to adult learning centre New Directions.
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PICTURED: Where the new gym will be

The plans were submitted alongside proposals for a new 'boutique' cinema above Waitrose, which have now been withdrawn after concerns were raised by the supermarket and more than a dozen residents and members of the fitness club.

Developer Hermes submitted one application to replace Caversham Health and Fitness Gym, at 51 Church Street, with a new cinema and another application to replace former adult learning centre New Directions, on Archway Road, with a new gym.

Caversham Health and Fitness Gym permanently closed last year due Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and lack of communication from the developer about plans for the new site.

The cinema application has now been withdrawn and it is unclear what will now happen to the site of the former gym.

Turley, who are handling the applications on behalf of Hermes, have been approached for comment on why the cinema proposal has been withdrawn.

PICTURED: 51 Church Street is where the cinema was planned, with office also planned as part of the application at 61 Church Street

Prior to the application being withdrawn, concerns were raised about the cinema plan by more than a dozen residents, with most opposing the loss of the fitness centre and squash facilities.

Stuart Milton said: “So, a facility providing health, fitness and wellbeing is to be replaced by a complex where users sit on their backsides for two hours, consume unhealthy fast foods, leading to the ever-increasing spiral of overweight and unfit people.

“Reading already has two massive cinema complexes’, Vue Cinema and Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading, only 1.8 and 5.7 miles from the newly proposed cinema development.

“Conversely, the only other club playing competitive league squash in the area is Reading University and the courts at this venue are already over booked.

“Unfortunately, Rivermead Leisure Centre which offers the closest courts for Caversham members is also demolishing their squash courts.”

A 25-year long member at Caversham Health and Fitness, he said Hermes had not consulted with members of the club not offered any viable options to squash members.

While Colin Robinson said: “The last thing Reading needs at the moment is another cinema complex, whilst further taking away leisure and fitness facilities.

“There is no consideration given to the replacement or relocation of the squash courts meaning further deterioration in the provision for this sport across the Reading Borough.”

And Phil Davison said: “I cannot understand the logic of this decision, bearing in mind the value that this club provides to the local community.”

Another member of Caversham Health & Fitness, Peter Mann, submitted a letter The Chronicle on behalf of members expressing anger over the plans.

READ MORE: LETTER: Anger over health centre closure plans

Caversham Fitness Club, run by IST Fitness, will have a gym, sauna, health bar and lounge and three types of studios: pilates and yoga, indoor cycle and fitness and bootcamp.

However, there is no mention of squash facilities at the new fitness club.

As well as concerns about the loss of squash facilities, concerns were also raised about parking and the loss of a tree, while Waitrose also submitted an objection, raising concerns about the proposed access doors being located “extremely close” to Waitrose’s neighbouring door.