Shrewsbury fitness club reveals refurb plans - with pool and spa amid controversial hotel plans

The Shrewsbury Club on Sundorne Road was bought by fitness giant David Lloyd in September last year, who, at the time, revealed there were plans to invest in and transform the club's facilities.

Now the plans have been revealed as the new owners submit an application for planning permission to Shropshire Council.

If the application is successful, the now-David Lloyd Shrewsbury will see a refurbishment and the addition of an external spa garden, outdoor pool, three new padel courts and a general refurbishment of the existing lounge terrace and entrance.

Outline planning permission is also currently being sought for the building of a 146-bedroom Hilton hotel on the site.  The application suggests the new hotel - which has been co-developed by Hilton Hotels - would be three or four storeys and built on land that is currently used for parking for the club.  

The proposal was submitted by former club owners Mosaic Spa and Health Club in November, two months after it was confirmed fitness giants David Lloyds had acquired the club.

During the consultation period, the plans for the new hotel came under fire from residents, who mostly raised concerns over the potential impact on traffic on the busy road. 

See our story here:  'Traffic is already at breaking point': Plans for 146-bedroom hotel on outskirts of Shrewsbury under-fire 

The new facilities proposed at the health and fitness club would replace five of the tennis courts at the centre, which would leave two external and two covered courts.

According to the documentation, the addition of the new spa garden and outside pool comes after "considerable requests" from club members. 

Both the outside pool and the spa garden would be built on the footprint of existing tennis courts to the south of the building. The garden would include a sauna and jacuzzi, along with seating and sun loungers.

The three new padel courts, which will have canopy coverings, will replace two tennis courts to the east of the centre. 

Padel, a form of tennis, is one of the fastest-growing sports across Europe, with David Lloyd claiming to be "at the forefront" of the "tennis revolution" in the UK.

The company are proposing all of their new clubs be provided with "premium padel facilities".

The proposed padel courts would be accompanied by a "padel social space", seating, a TV unit and a sunshade canopy structure. 

The latest plans are available to view in full on Shropshire Council's planning portal, using reference number: 25/00018/FUL