Staffordshire’s ‘biggest ever’ gym opens

Peter Coates, co-founder of bet365 and chairman of Stoke City football club, has performed the official opening of what is said to be Staffordshire’s biggest ever gym.

He cut the ribbon and unveiled a commemorative plaque at M Club Spa and Fitness in Hanley.

The three-storey club is housed in a £12m, 70,000 sq ft expansion of the Waterworld leisure resort at Festival Park, which includes more than 300 pieces of equipment, an indoor pool and running track.

Coates said: “I’m delighted to be here to open this club and celebrate the development of the site.

“It’s such a huge credit to Mo Chaudry (owner and founder), what he has achieved.”

Chaudry said: “It’s been four years since we first came on site for what was supposed to be an 18-month contract to create this new club.

“But we were hit by the perfect storm, and the pandemic meant all our businesses were closed, and everything came to a halt. But where there is a will, there is a way.

“I want to thank a whole team of people who helped to make this happen, including the architects, sub-contractors, my operations team, management, my wife Ann and the rest of my family. I really couldn’t have done this without them.”

He added: “This is the biggest single project I have ever done – I wanted to create the best gym in Staffordshire. It’s lovely to be involved in a business I’m so passionate about, and which improves people’s lifestyles.”

A new branch of Nurture Childcare is also due to open at the club soon.