A new gym in Tilehurst is seeking a 1am booze licence after taking over from another gym operator.

Atrium Healthclub will take over from Rivers Ibis Health Club at the site on Scours Lane and plans to open the new gym this summer.

Josh Baines, managing director at Atrium Healthclub, said: “Our aim is to make improvements across what is an amazing, but rather old and tired site.

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“We plan to completely refurbish the gym and create an exciting, modern health and fitness space.

“There will be an on-site bar which will be under new management, that will usually be open until 10pm, but will be able to go on till 1am for functions and parties such as weddings or wakes.

“Nothing drastically different will be happening at the site than before, however with the takeover we were required to apply for a new licence.”

Atrium Healthclub have applied for a licence for:

  • Regulated entertainment –indoor & outdoor (Monday to Saturday 6am – 1am, Sunday 8am – 1am)
  • Late Night Refreshment – indoor & outdoor (Monday to Sunday 11pm to 1am)
  • Sale of alcohol – on the premises (Monday to Saturday 6am – 1am, Sunday 8am – 1am)
Rivers Ibis Health Club

Rivers Ibis Health Club

Mr Baines said the new gym will be open until 10pm usually but there will be functions and parties such as weddings that can go on until 1am.

These events can include DJs and other entertainment (Regulated entertainment) and hot food (Late Night Refreshment).

The ownership will transfer from Rivers Ibis to Atrium at the end of June.

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Rivers Ibis Health Club announced in April it had sold the site and would not re-open, having been temporarily closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Writing on Facebook in April, the club said: “It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you that the Prudential Ibis Club has now been sold.

“I apologise for the lateness in communication to you but contracts have only been exchanged this week.

“Because of this Rivers Gym will not be reopening on Monday, April 12.”