One of Nottingham’s most well-known brands has been brought back from the brink of extinction and has been completely transformed after the entrepreneur behind it confirmed the go-ahead for a multi-million pound development in the heart of the city.
Castle Gym was the oldest independent gym in Nottingham dating back over 40 years but that chapter closed in November 2022 after a long legal battle over the site on Castle Boulevard.
However, in March 2023, plans for a new chapter were submitted by Omni Group, created by Castle Gym’s owner, Luke Willmott, for a state-of-the-art 30,000+ sq ft facility split between 3 businesses including a new, revamped Castle Gym on the fabled “Tales of Robin Hood” site.
Those plans have now been given the green light, with the first phase of the project, a brand-new Fit Tech gym with all-new equipment and a transformed Castle Gym brand now being put into action.
The new site has been confirmed to have over 500 pieces of bespoke, custom-built equipment which will make it one of the largest gyms in the UK. The site is aiming to launch in 2024.
Luke Willmott, who is pioneering Omni Group as a hybrid business support, development and investment vehicle for businesses as the original Castle Gym was forced to close, explains;
‘It’s finally happened! We’re back baby! Castle Gym is back but not as you know it. It’s bigger, better, brighter and bolder than anything you will have seen here in Nottingham and further afield in the UK.
‘I cannot even describe the amount of blood, sweat and tears that has gone into this as we have tried to get this project off the ground. Never mind the funding – this is a multi-million pound project now.
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‘This site has laid dormant for far too long but having worked on this deal every single day since we had to close our doors down the road I can see why. There are a huge number of challenges and complications, hurdles and barriers but…if we pull this off, this will transform the shape of Nottingham city centre!
‘My new business, Omni Group, was created as a solution to help businesses through a number of services from business to design and marketing solutions. It just so happens that our first “client” is my original business, Caste Gym and what can I say, I’ve poured everything into it!’
‘You hear a lot about 2.0 versions of things but trust me, you’re going to need to go a few points higher than that because what we have planned here in terms of the gym, nevermind the other businesses which will occupy the site, is on another level. This is Castle Gym 10.0!
‘As a fitness enthusiast I’m beyond excited by what we will be bringing to the city and as an entrepreneur I know that what we have planned for the site is going to be a game-changer for a lot of ambitious young businesses that are in the city or looking to invest here.
“We are partnering with the best minds and best brands in the business, one of which we hope to announce very soon with regards to the gym equipment which is going to be a massive statement for Nottingham and the new Castle Gym brand. For now, watch this space and follow our journey on our social media! You can also pre-register on our new website for exclusive project updates
