Vandalism reported at shut Sports Direct Fitness gym in Bury St Edmunds on Moreton Hall estate
Concerns have been raised that an empty gym is becoming an ‘eyesore’ after vandals have reportedly accessed the building and smashed it up.
It is understood that vandalism at the former Sports Direct Fitness, in Easlea Road, on Bury St Edmunds’ Moreton Hall estate, was reported to police on Monday.
Customers were left ‘gobsmacked’ when the gym shut its doors permanently in August 2023, and it has been vacant ever since.
A proposal is on the cards for the site to become a builders' merchant – which is awaiting determination – and it has just been revealed that a tenant has signed an agreement for a lease.
They will be investing £2.1million in the site over a five to six-month period prior to their occupation towards the end of 2025, said Nectar Management.
Melanie Soanes, chair of the Moreton Hall Residents’ Association (MHRA), is worried that the building is not being secured or maintained, leaving access open to anyone.
She said the recent vandalism involved people throwing bricks, smashing glass, and generally causing damage to several areas. SuffolkNews has seen pictures of debris in the indoor swimming pool.
Melanie said: “If left as it is, there is easy access for future vandalism. It is such a shame as all the facilities are just sitting there now being damaged and becoming an eyesore and an unsafe site.”
She added that there was also loads of glass and debris, including old chairs and tyres, strewn over the car park.
In an email raising her concerns to the leader of West Suffolk Council and other councillors, Melanie said the building had stood empty for nearly two years and could be such a superb asset to the community and families.
Melanie had submitted an objection to the plans to turn the site into a builders’ merchant, on behalf of several members of the former gym, arguing there were enough retail spaces on Moreton Hall already.
She had said the area needed more leisure facilities at a time when people in the town lacked access to pools, which could lead to mental and physical health problems.
Cllr Birgitte Mager, a district and town councillor for Moreton Hall, said the state of the empty building was ‘pretty outrageous’ and added: “The building cannot be an eyesore. That isn’t the world we want to live in.”
She said it was of ‘great concern’ to her that the building appeared to not be secured.
SuffolkNews asked Nectar Management about security at the building and the vandalism, but the firm did not address these points.
However, Thomas Borg, fund manager at Nectar Management A/S, did say: “The property is subject to an ongoing application for change of use to a builders’ merchant. We understand this will be determined by the planning committee in June.
“We have a tenant signed on an agreement for lease and they will be investing £2.1million in the site over a five to six-month period prior to their occupation at the back end of 2025.”
Suffolk Police was approached for comment.
