• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Tuesday April 25 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Esprit Gymnastics opens new Wokingham children’s gymnastics centre in Alder King deal

Property consultant Alder King has acquired new premises in Wokingham for Swindon-based Esprit Gymnastics to facilitate its expansion.

Esprit, which runs one of the UK’s biggest and best-equipped gymnastic centres for children at Headlands Grove in Swindon, has now leased a 4,688 sq ft self-contained office building at 4 King Street Lane in Winnersh, just north of Wokingham.

It has now converted the space into a second gymnastics centre with a fully equipped children’s gymnastics hall, Mother and Baby gymnastics facilities, as well as a dance/performance studio and party/function rooms.

Esprit Gymnastics is a recognised centre of excellence, teaching children valuable life skills through gymnastics. It also caters for Olympic disciplines such as Artistic, Rhythmic and Rhythmic Group gymnastics.

It has produced numerous British Champions, Commonwealth medalists and three Olympians, as well as a renowned display team which represents Great Britain at major international festivals including the World Gymnaestrada.

Courtney Hows, herself a high-level gymnast who has been director of coaching at Esprit Gymnastics for the last three years, said: “Gymnastics as a sport has been the subject of much bad press recently with many allegations of bullying and body shaming.

“So, we wanted to show more people how we do it and how we feel the sport should be run, as we’ve proven over many years that young people can be successful, having fun, in a safe environment and enjoying a sport they love.

“We chose Wokingham mainly because it is near where I live in Henley-on-Thames, but more importantly because it has a large catchment of young families, with children of an appropriate age, who can benefit from what we offer.

“The new facility will be operating under a new brand, Esprit Kids, to emphasise the fact this is about teaching children from as young as 4 months up to 12 years old life skills through the sport of gymnastics.

“The aim is to give children impressive skills they can use in any sport they may wish to consider in the future, but more importantly teach them skills for success in life generally.”

The well-equipped centre is small, clean, colourful and safe, allowing the teachers to give all children the time they need, no matter what their innate ability.

The added benefit of having excellent viewing facilities for parents, to enjoy free tea and coffee and watch their children perform, or simply catch up on work using the club’s free high-speed Broadband, only adds to the experience.

Esprit Kids opened its doors for the first time at the beginning of March 2023 and in just a few weeks has already opened new classes to accommodate the growing interest.

“The plan”, Courtney continued, “is to perfect our offering over the next 12 months before looking to expand into more centres, in similar areas within the South of England. After that, who knows, the UK is a big place.”

“Whatever route we finally decide upon, we won’t compromise on our mission which is to help children become great athletes, who in turn become great people and make true our motto: Esprit Kids – where EVERY child is a champion!”

James Gregory, partner at Alder King in Swindon, added: “The gym sector has been one of the most active in the market for the past five years, with demand continuously outstripping supply.

“Securing this venue in Wokingham will allow Courtney and her team to broaden their catchment and deliver their unique blend of giving children a fun experience whilst also developing valuable gymnastics and life skills.”

Esprit Kids, represented by Alder King, agreed a new five-year lease on the property. Page Hardy Harris acted for the landlord Fynecast Ltd.