Bannatyne out at Manchester’s Sunlight House?

The amount of space that gym takes up with plant just for the pool is phenomenal. It’s not even used that much. Wasted space. It could be and will be put to better use whilst activating the street which is currently covered in vinyls and extraction vents. Not great. Kinrise are doing a fantastic job on Sunlight House. Given we have 4 months left in the year anyway and this won’t start until next year there is absolutely no reason why the lease can’t continue as is.

This looks like a quality scheme up to now, but taking out the pool – one of the most distinctive original features of the listed building – seems heavy handed, and somewhat opportunistic, given it clearly has an economic use as it is. Also loss of a sports/fitness facility more or less open to the public…

Manchester needs more quality gyms. Nuffield at the Printworks and the only remaining Bannatynes close to the Gay Village are two of the only City Centre health clubs left with pools, sauna and steam room. The planning system needs to make sure ground floor uses accommodate commercially-facing uses which bring life to cities… not just flats and office space due to “viability”. Lower revenue generating uses also have a place, if the city is due to become a real place to live… and not just a dormitory.

Bannatynes is very popular and good value for money for many of Manchester’s residents and workers. We need to be promoting the use of health centres and exercise rather than removing opportunities.

OMG it looks like Raffles in Singapore . the world is are oyster in Manchester – we are the best . keep them coming , oh and more affordable social housing for true mancunians

Agree with Local Resident above, Bannatynes is generally good value and well used here. So whilst it probably could benefit from a refurbishment, it seems a shame to lose the pool for another co-working space.

@Leisure, I’m sorry but that’s nonsense, we need more flats, not more leisure

Writing to express my deep concern upon learning about the proposed closure of the gym area and the removal of the pool, which has been an integral part of our community since the 1930s. Wellbeing, health, and fitness play a vital role in the lives of the general public, and this facility has served as a cornerstone for promoting a healthier lifestyle for many years.

I question why the historic pool within these facilities has not been granted grade listing, considering its significant historical significance and age. Preserving such a heritage asset is essential, as it holds memories of the past and serves as a valuable testament to our community’s history.

I wholeheartedly oppose this development and strongly advocate for the preservation of the gym area and the historic pool. Closure of this health club would not only impact the community’s wellbeing but also result in job losses for many individuals who rely on this facility for their livelihoods.

Mark

How much ‘co-working space’ do we need? Bannatynes is a great facility for city centre residents. Taking it away would be a huge loss as not everyone in the city can afford the more expensive gyms. Surely the swimming pool is part of the Listing of this historic building? The owner has previously ripped out The Grapes pub from this building, which was a great venue. It looks as though they are continuing to remove all of the great features this building had and creating soulless space. Planners and Historic England should say no.

Bannatynes is great value. Unfortunately many of their customers have no idea how to behave with respect for the fabric of the facility or fellow gym membership.

Seems a shame to lose the gym. I know there are two Bannatyne here in relatively close proximity but in my opinion this one looks to have a nicer pool facility. I guess I’ll have to take a visit before it closes! I’m a member of their Skelmersdale gym where the prices are much higher..

Sunlight House was, when completed, the tallest office building in Manchester. The Art Deco classic was officially opened by Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. diving into the swimming pool. For many years after, the pool was occasionally boarded over to host boxing matches.
I very much doubt that any current office scheme will be remembered as richly interesting.

I wonder how much time is needed until this co-working spaces bubble explode 🤔

@andrew *Vinyl

I am absolutely devastated at the thought of loosing our gym. I’ve been a member 33 years myself and my daughter joined together my son was also a member for a few years. It is the most iconic pool and gym in Manchester. There is plenty of business space just on deansgate without any more. These days people do teams meetings and often work at home. There are so many apartments in Manchester now so the gym and pool are important for peoples mental health and leisure time. I do hope this idea is reconsidered. It is not just a gym to me it’s a very important part of my life, I have lots of friend there and also worry for the staff and there jobs

That’s a shame as this gym is very popular, especially the swimming pool which has been part of the building design since it was built. How many boring co-working spaces does Manchester need

This is awful news, it was bad enough they got rid of the grapes. I’ve been using this gym and pool for over 30 years, Manchester needs affordable leisure facilities not more office space. How many more empty office and apartments do we need in Manchester City centre?

The original plan was this was, it was going to be the tallest skyscraper in Europe. There was a plan to build more floors on top of it a few years ago. What happened to that idea?

Scott, leave the leisure to the Trafford Centre, we need high density tiny flats and office construction

This is a shame. As the development of the city centre continues apace there is a genuine need in Manchester for reasonably priced leisure facilities, especially ones with pools. Let’s hope that if this closure does go ahead they will be able to find an alternative site, though I fear that once a pool is lost it’s probably lost forever.

To add to Leisure’s comment above, as well as the Nuffield in the Printworks and the other Bannatynes on Whitworth Street, the Y Club at Castlefield also has a swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

Not sure where Andrew gets off that the pool isn’t used much. I’ve been a member for 10 years and the pool is often full. Isn’t there enough office and Co working space in the city as it is without needing to shut down one of the very few gyms with a pool?