Gym plan for former nightclub

The site of a former Wigan nightclub is to reopen as a multi-million pound gym, ending years of speculation about its future.
The former Kudos nightclub is to become a JD GymThe former Kudos nightclub is to become a JD Gym
The former Kudos nightclub is to become a JD Gym

Earlier this month Wigan Today revealed developers had applied for a change of use licence for the vast Kudos building on Robin Park.

Today JD Gyms - an off-shoot of high-street chain JD Sports - has stepped forward as the prime mover behind the transformation plans.

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The new facility will cost £2m, providing state-of-the-art exercise equipment and is due to open later this year, the firm said.

JD Gyms managing director, Alun Peacock, added: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing a brand new, low cost gym with a difference to Wigan.

“We’ll be offering exceptional fitness facilities, an unrivalled class timetable, luxury surroundings and saunas in a convenient location on a highly affordable basis.”

The gym plan, which will create 15 jobs, will bring a new lease of life to the 26,000 sq ft Anjou Boulevard building.

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It could be the first of a host of new developments to open on Robin Park following plans for a hotel and restaurant complex opposite Empire Cinema and several new retail outlets on the main shopping area of the park.

Although it will be running in an area with several gym facilities nearby with the DW Sports Fitness club on Stadium Way and the Profiles gym, also on Robin Retail park.

JD bosses said work has already started on the site and the finished product will provide “200 pieces of the industry’s finest cardio, strength and functional fitness equipment plus saunas, sprint track and the area’s largest free weights area.”

Mr Peacock added: “We cannot wait to open the doors in the summer.”

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Kudos was a major component in the first major revamp of Robin Park back in the 1990s as a retail and leisure destination.

It initially proved popular and among celebrity punters was the then England cricket star Andrew Flintoff.

But its star faded, with club-goers complaining that it was detached from the rest of the Wigan night scene and custom dwindled.

Kudos closed its doors in 2002. The nightclub venue did re-open and operated for a brief stint as Starlight and Pipedreams a few years later. But it has remained closed ever since despite a number of bids to transform it, including one to convert it into a place of worship.