Nailswortholdbull believes that a state of the art gymnasium could be a money-spinning possibility for the Blackfriars End at Hereford United.
The reasons are well known to every fan of the lower league clubs, and, wherever you might want to apportion the blame, much of the problem actually lies with the inability of so many of these clubs to generate meaningful income from sources that are not directly linked to the game itself.
We, at HUFC, have seen crowds falling away, over recent seasons, because of performances, style of play, lack of success, loss of status, and many other reasons. Problem is, when the paying public drifts away, so does income, therefore the quality of the playing squad drops, budgets are slashed, more fans become disillusioned, and so, the cycle goes on, and on, and on.
The board took a step in the right direction, by resurrecting Addisons, and refurbishing our function rooms. Yes, they create extra income, but at limited times, and, due to weather, match programming, and a lack of passing footfall, in Blackfriars Street, they are, probably, not as successful as they could be. We now have the leases signed, and are back to the search for developers/investors. Opening a shop, or a restaurant, facing the new cattle market development, means that you are facing, and competing with, the top professionals in that area, and is NOT an idea worth pursuing. But now comes the good news……………… On the plus side, the City of Hereford IS short of top quality fitness training facilities. Only 3 appeared on my Google search, which, for a city with the catchment area of Hereford, creates, quite blatantly, a business opportunity waiting to be exploited. I would suggest that, if the area under, and behind, the new BF stand could be built to accommodate it, the future of Hereford United could well be underwritten, for many years to come, by the installation of a state of the art gymnasium /fitness centre /sports treatment centre.
As far as upfront investment is concerned, most modern gym equipment can be leased, which takes away the need for heavy capital outlay within the structure, once it is built.
Membership costs, for gym membership, in my current home area (Stroud), are between £30 - £37 per month. Those figures are based upon annual membership, requiring a direct debit 12 month contract. School students at £20 per month, and college students at £25 per month. It’s worth mentioning that, with a similar catchment area to Hereford, Stroud has 5 fitness centres/gyms, plus a leisure centre, all of which are successful AND thriving. Most of these places have facilities for physios and/or masseurs, some have chiropractors/acupuncturists, and other therapists, in house on certain days of the week, who, of course, pay rent to the clubs to be there. As do self employed personal trainers, who bring them extra clients.
Alongside the gym/fitness suite, we would need showers/changing rooms, etc, but we already have the underused catering facility that was mentioned earlier. It now will have thirsty keepfitters coming through the door, plus the Mums enjoying a quick break, whilst their kids are being taken care of, in the onsite crèche (locally charging £1.50 - £2.00 per hour).
An essential part of this is an exercise room, kitted up ready for pilates, martial arts, zumba, gymnastic floor exercises, etc, etc, but, by now, you will have got the idea.
To sum up, the major advantages are these:
* An ongoing source of income, for the Club, 7 days a week, all year round.
* It introduces a whole, new, clientele to the Edgar Street facilities
* It will give renewed life to the Addisons catering area, and, at the same time, make more Herefordians aware of the Starlite Function Room
* It’s success will NOT be dependant upon onfield performances, in any way!
* It provides onsite professionals, physios, masseurs, fitness trainers, that are employed by the gym, and can be charged to club, at special rates, on a “need to” basis only
* The training facilities, which are currently another bone of contention within the Club, are, at least partly, brought onsite.
* The income starts from day 1 of opening, if not before.
* And, last, but not least, it makes the proposition, to any incoming investor, of buying HUFC, far more attractive, because the return on the investment is no longer dependant upon “football only” incomes.
And, one last thing, how much more aware, of our club, can we make the users of the new cattle market development? In VERY large lettering, above the entrance, and facing the market area, the title line:
Herefordshire’s Ultimate Fitness Centre
If there is an opportunity, time has come to reach out, and grab it, with all of our hands!
UPDATE Feb 18th: Since this article was published, it's been noted on the forums that the Ballantyne Group, who have gyms nationwide, haven't currently got one within 40 miles of Hereford.
Perhaps they might be worth approaching