A thriving Surrey fitness and health business which has officially opened a second facility in Camberley to cope with increased demand has been praised by the head of British Gymnastics.
Prime Acrobatics, which offers blend of gymnastics, acrobatics and circus skills to children and adults, is now firmly established at Prova Court, creating dozens of jobs and boosting the Surrey economy.
The organisation, founded in 2012 by gymnast Chris Bowler, formerly a coach with the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, and Clem Malcolmson, a now retired UK gymnastics stalwart, has been based at picturesque Heather Farm on Horsell Common in Woking since 2016.
But with almost 1,700 members at Woking and many more on a waiting list, a new facility was needed – with enough height to accommodate gymnastics and with easy public access.
Property consultancy Vail Williams sourced and secured the 16,421 sq ft (1,525 sq m) Prova Court premises, formerly used as science laboratories, on the town’s Yorktown Business Park and secured change of use.
After a lengthy programme of works to convert the premises, the facility opened to the public and now offers dozens of classes for children and adults every week.
The official opening was attended by Sarah Powell – CEO of British Gymnastics which is the national governing body for gymnastics in the UK, Dr Al Pinkerton – MP for Surrey Heath, and Cliff Betton – Deputy Mayor of Surrey Heath Borough Council.
Also there were and representatives of the Fleet-based Stepping Stones DS charity which supports children and young people with Down syndrome and which has partnered with Prime Acrobatics.
Sarah Powell said:
“Facilities like this help us no end because they provide opportunities for families and children to come together to enjoy everything that’s great about gymnastics – and help develop the international stars of the future."
“What’s special about Prime Acrobatics is that as well as offering a huge range of classes, it is fully inclusive and very much has the feel of a community coming together for the common good and certainly inspires others to get involved."
“It has also brought a lot of people into jobs as they train children all the way from pre-school to elite gymnasts, become role models for future generations.”
Prime’s Chris Bowler, who thanked Vail Williams for support and advice during the property negotiations, said:
“It has been challenging to get to this point but I have never stopped believing in the end goal and what this facility means to so many people. I am so proud of the all-inclusive offering we provide for thousands of people of all ages and abilities across Surrey who participate in the physical activity so important for health and wellbeing and to ensure that current and future generations remain active."
“Although I have trained some of the best athletes in the world, being the first facility in the country to run classes for children with Down syndrome is one of the proudest moments in my life.”
Diane Walters, Chair of Stepping Stones, said:
“This facility is genuinely changing lives for the better and we hope our partnership with Prime Acrobatics will run and run.”
Charlie Nicholson, Partner at Vail Williams based in Woking, said:
“Prime Acrobatics is a valued and long-standing client and it was a privilege to be here today to see how an industrial unit has been transformed into a facility dedicated to helping people, particularly children, stay fit, active and healthy.”
Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.
