A Brighton gym is to shut for good next month, members were told in an email this morning (Wednesday 27 October).
Virgin Active, on the Brighton University campus, in Falmer, said that it would be closing on Sunday 21 November.
The university is understood to have bought out the gym’s long lease as it makes a series of changes which are expected to lead to the closure of the Eastbourne campus.
Virgin itself took over the lease in April 2011 when it bought the Brighton Sports and Racquets Club from Esporta.
Today, Virgin emailed members to say: “We’re sorry to let you know that we will be permanently closing Virgin Active Brighton.
“Our last day of operation will be Sunday 21 November 2021.
“The site will revert to the University of Brighton for its own use and, therefore, it is no longer possible for us to keep the club open.
“During the period leading up to the closure of Virgin Active Brighton, it will be business as usual with opening hours, group exercise classes and other activities remaining the same.
“We’d like to thank you and the outstanding team who have made Virgin Active Brighton a racquets club to be proud of.”
The closure comes as Freedom Leisure – which runs several sports centres, swimming pools and gyms in Brighton and Hove – said that it was recruiting.
The company said: “In light of the closure of Virgin Active, Withdean Sports Complex is currently looking for a range of roles to be filled, including reception, membership sales, fitness instructors, cleaning staff and general recreational staff.
“Contact ross.philipson@freedom-leisure.co.uk to immediately be considered for a role.”
It is with significant upset to learn that a notice of less than a month has been given to 80 employees and a large community that regularly used this facility. The ages ranged from babies to elderly, with the latter coming together to exercise and benefit from a healthy lifestyle. The swimming complex is a substantial loss.
The Brighton University behaviour is utterly disgraceful in closure of a community based health centre. The Chancellor comments are complete corporate managerial nonsense and lacks any sincerity or recognition given to such an important centre.
i would like the government to switch from tax exemptions for students and start making them pay not only for their education but use of amenities in Brighton. Why should tax payers foot their bill and now incur a closure of an important health centre that our health service would have reaped enormous benefits in a community wanting to stay fit.
A sad day and the Chancellor for Brighton University is a complete disgrace, who should be removed.
No doubt will be used as student accommodation or yet another licenced place, big loss to the community who used it and the staff who worked there. Very selfish decision.
What a shame! I joined the club whilst it was being built, because I wanted somewhere to swim at times that suited me, rather than the inflexible offerings provided by Brighton and Hove at The King Alfred and Prince Regent. The three pools at Falmer (Virgin club) were a huge improvement, offering swimming indoors and out from early morning until late at night. That was about 25 years ago, and Brighton still hasn’t improved its offer of facilities to swimmers, or gymnasts or ice skaters, despite a number of promises. It’s all very sad.