Why Your January Rush Deserves Better: The Case for Strategic Refurbishment
We've all seen it happen – every January, leisure centres across the UK brace themselves for the inevitable influx of new members. The question isn't whether the rush will come, but whether your facility is ready to capitalise on it.
Here's the thing: the UK fitness industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with member numbers, market value, and penetration exceeding any previous year. Leisure DB's State of the UK Fitness Industry Report published that over the last 12 months, UK gyms have gained more than 600,000 members, while market value has risen by more than £500 million to £6.5 billion. With this level of growth, the competition for those who join in January has never been more intense.
The leisure centres that thrive are the ones that deliver an experience that makes members want to stay.
The Opportunity
This is where smart operators gain a competitive edge. Rather than scrambling to accommodate growth with tired facilities, forward-thinking centres are using the quieter months to refresh their spaces, ensuring they're ready to capitalise on the January opportunity when it arrives.
How We Can Help
Layrd can consult on the master plan for space optimisation across your entire facility. Is your current layout truly working for members and staff? Are there opportunities you're missing?
We work on gym spaces, studios, recovery areas, changing rooms, and circulation routes to identify opportunities. Often, we discover underutilised spaces that could be transformed into high-demand facilities, such as Reformer Pilates studios. Is there an opportunity for a café space that increases engagement across services?
Our capabilities span interior design, specification of finishes, equipment consultation, building control approvals, turnkey fit-out and on-site support.
Design isn't just about refreshing tired spaces – it's about reimagining how your facility can better serve your community while supporting your business objectives.
The Time is Now
The quieter months ahead aren't just a lull – they're your strategic window. This is when thoughtful planning and design work happens, when construction can take place without disrupting peak periods, and when you can properly consider how each space connects to create a cohesive member journey.
Email: info@layrddesign.co.uk | Telephone: 01223 952992 | www.layrddesign.co.uk