A brand new gym opened this week at the King Alfred Leisure Centre – and residents of Hove say they're happy Brighton and Hove City Council is spending money on sport instead of tearing down the centre to build flats.

Residents of Vallance Gardens, opposite the centre, fought a long battle to stop the redevelopment of the site from a sports centre into multi storey blocks of flats and a leisure centre in 2005.

Gill Siddle, 38, of Vallance Gardens said: “The King Alfred has been so run down I joined a private sports centre at Falmer, but now I will be tempted to join the council gym. It’s got TVs, 40 stations and a good selection of classes to join.

"We fought long and hard to stop the redevelopment and thank goodness we have now got this great facility.

“The price is really great too, you can pay one off or a monthly fee which is very useful.

“My husband uses the swimming pool and when he gets in I will show him the new gym too.”

The launch of King Alfred Leisure Centre’s new gymnasium, which costs £33 per month or £38 for the gym and swimming pool, has also been welcomed by other Hove residents who say investment in the sports facilities can only be positive for the area.

Rikul Patel, 22, of Tamworth Road said: “I love the fact there are so many gyms in my area. Over Christmas last year I ruptured my Achilles tendon but with so many sports centres practically on my doorstep I have no excuse to get out there and rediscover my fitness.

“As there are so many gyms near me such as LA Fitness, Cheetahs and now the new King Alfred it has given a lot of people, especially the ones who can’t drive, a better opportunity to get involved.”

Laura Maddocks, 24, who works at the gym, said: “When the old gym first opened up the majority of the people were at least 50 years old, but now with the modern equipment we hope to see a new generation of gym users.

“We have a swimming pool downstairs and all the people you see running along the seafront it really does promote a healthy way of life.”

by Josh Jones