unit for gym

[extremedistro]

Hi,

Im looking at getting a small 550 - 650 sq ft unit for a specialist gym between 3 people.... The unit will cost around £3000 - 4000 per year.

The gym will be for personal use to start with until we have built up enough kit and gained the quals..

Few questions...

1) do we have to pay business rates on it when we are using it for a personal gym?

2) Is there I can work out a rough price of the business rates based on the rent?

Cheers

m

 

[14A]

Out of interest, where in the NW are you?

You can get a rates assesment via the local council.

 

[Stuart @DeckVoid]

Rates are dependant on the area, if this is your only business premises and at that size there a very good chance the rates will be zero due to the small business relief in place at the moment.

 

[14A]

Rates are dependant on the area, if this is your only business premises and at that size there a very good chance the rates will be zero due to the small business relief in place at the moment.

Zero? I thought 50% was the best rate of relief?

 

[Stuart @DeckVoid]

there is 50% relief but thats permanent but small business's also qualify for further reduction, the Government has just extended this offer to September 2012 ( i think )

 

[extremedistro]

Out of interest, where in the NW are you?

You can get a rates assesment via the local council.

Warrington....

 

[TotallySport]

can I ask what you mean by "specialist"? 500sq ft isn't a lot of room for commercial grade fitness and gym equipment.

And thats lot of money, commitment, management and outlay for personal use.

 

[chalkie99]

For that size of premises no business rates are currently payable until October 1 2012. There is always the possibility that might be extended again next year but I cannot see a council waiving future rates simply because it is for personal use. Don't forget to factor in service charges, electricity, water and sewerage rates, etc.

 

[extremedistro]

can I ask what you mean by "specialist"? 500sq ft isn't a lot of room for commercial grade fitness and gym equipment.

And thats lot of money, commitment, management and outlay for personal use.

The gym will utilise a few free weights, pull up bars etc.. so no bulky machines.

£3k per year splt 3 ways isnt much of an impact per month.

Its so we have somewhere to start building / storing our kit and getting to a stage where the guys can teach. When we get the first few members that when we look for a bigger one

 

[TotallySport]

The gym will utilise a few free weights, pull up bars etc.. so no bulky machines.

£3k per year splt 3 ways isnt much of an impact per month.

Its so we have somewhere to start building / storing our kit and getting to a stage where the guys can teach. When we get the first few members that when we look for a bigger one

I know this isn't answering your question and if you want me to shut up please say so:

Your have a few issues, if its just for personal use in terms of space you'll be fine, but if you plan to open it up, you will need proper stands for spare weight, you will need commercial grade free weight benches, and proper installation of things like chin up bars. You will also need staff to be there, and be qualified.

But its not just 3K, its 3K plus:

VAT
security
Electric
Water
Phone
maintaniance of the building
maintaniance of the equipment
cleaning of the building
cleaning of the equipment
Who has keys
what happens on access
who's name will be on the leases
whos name will be on the bills

There are alot of small factors which after looking into it makes it not as glossy as a simple small terms private gym, also if you kit it out for peronsal use, then open it up, you'll effectively have to pay twice for everything.

I bet there would be a market for a private run gym, focusing on your specialist use, with a more personal approach. I would recommend putting a bit of research into it, and seeing if the real business is going to be viable before just starting, I don't think this can be as organic as other businesses.

 

[extremedistro]

I know this isn't answering your question and if you want me to shut up please say so:

Your have a few issues, if its just for personal use in terms of space you'll be fine, but if you plan to open it up, you will need proper stands for spare weight, you will need commercial grade free weight benches, and proper installation of things like chin up bars. You will also need staff to be there, and be qualified.

But its not just 3K, its 3K plus:

VAT
security
Electric
Water
Phone
maintaniance of the building
maintaniance of the equipment
cleaning of the building
cleaning of the equipment
Who has keys
what happens on access
who's name will be on the leases
whos name will be on the bills

There are alot of small factors which after looking into it makes it not as glossy as a simple small terms private gym, also if you kit it out for peronsal use, then open it up, you'll effectively have to pay twice for everything.

I bet there would be a market for a private run gym, focusing on your specialist use, with a more personal approach. I would recommend putting a bit of research into it, and seeing if the real business is going to be viable before just starting, I don't think this can be as organic as other businesses.

Thanks for the advice... yeah got most bases covered... the unit for 550 - 600 sq ft and is £3500 per annum INC vat.

No benches required and between all 3 of us we have alot of the weights and equip.

We have a contact with metal supplies and welding so is custom building all frames needed.

The gym will be run on a class based model so will only be open at certain times of an eve and weekend and will have to have one of the guys there to take it anyway.

Granted... we will have elec and water bills ontop...

Phone - Will use my current call answering provider / to mobile to service

My main worry was the business rates but people on here seem to think it wont affect us yet?

 

[TotallySport]

cool, good luck, and don't strain yourself

 

[Fenland]

Used to be a frequent gym user until I started manual labour

Like the sound of a more weights-based class rather than spinning/boxercise etc etc.

Certainly something me and my mates would have gone for. Not sure how many you could comfortably fit in our space but can see a market for this if you target it correctly.

I'm thinking 4-6 people per class,probably already know each other- might be from rugby club, football club, boxing gym, rowing. Tailored class to their needs incorporating weight, body-popping with chins/dips etc.

Get the word out and I reckon you could be on to someting

Almost makes me want to find time to start lifting again

 

[KateCB]

Once you have others using it, you will also need public liability insurance and sports use insurance.......Plus you will need a waste bin outside (wheelie bin or small skip type) which costs from the council each year - you HAVE to have one, if you don't you can be fined; if you are taking waste materials home (bottles, paper, food wrappers etc) and putting it in your domestic waste, they will fine you.....you can't win!