Clay Cellar Studios set to transform historic site

A NEW fitness and leisure destination combining padel, gym facilities, sports therapy and recovery treatments is taking shape at a historic site in Kingsteignton, with hopes of opening in January.

Clay Cellar Studios, being developed by East Street Pub Company at the Clay Cellars site off Pottery Road, will bring together exercise, wellbeing and socialising within a Grade II listed building.

The ambitious project will feature two outdoor padel courts, a fully equipped gym, an indoor cycling studio, group exercise spaces, sports therapy facilities and dedicated recovery areas, including an infrared sauna.

A café bar will also provide a place for visitors to relax before or after a workout.

The idea grew from a personal training relationship between East Street Pub Company director Steve Narvidge, his sons Xander and Sammy, and personal trainer Paul Hudson.

The family began training with Paul around four and a half years ago, when Xander was preparing for his wedding.

Their relationship eventually developed into a business partnership, with the original plan to find a small gym expanding after the Clay Cellars site became available.

‘He wanted to improve his offering, so we said, well, let’s do something together’, Steve explained.

The team subsequently developed plans for a multi-purpose facility designed to appeal to everyone from experienced athletes to people taking their first steps into exercise.

Padel, the fast-growing racket sport, is expected to be a major attraction.

The original plans considered three courts, but planning restrictions and the challenges of redeveloping a listed building meant the final design included two.

Despite this, Steve stressed that the courts would form only part of the overall offer.

‘Everyone kind of mentions padel’, he said. ‘It is such a popular sport, but there will be a lot more here than just padel’.

The gym will include a dedicated group training area, a private personal training room and an indoor cycling studio with 14 bikes.

Classes are expected to include trampoline-based Rebound sessions, kettlebell workouts and HYROX-style training.

The private training space will allow clients who may feel uncomfortable in a conventional gym to work with a trainer in a more personal environment before progressing to group classes or independent workouts.

Around 10 to 12 personal trainers have already committed to the business, with Paul Hudson and Crees Bond set to oversee its day-to-day operation.

Recovery and relaxation will also be central to the concept, while the café bar is intended to create a welcoming social atmosphere beyond the workout itself.

Steve described the philosophy as a balance between healthy living and enjoyment.

‘It’s a kind of naughty and nice’, he said. ‘You can come in, have a game of padel, have a pint of beer, or have something to eat. Or, if you can come in, do a run and have a protein shake or a matcha’.

The redevelopment has involved extensive work to the building, including changes to its internal layout and the installation of specialist fitness facilities, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting and sound systems.

Initial opening hours are planned to run from 5.30am until 10.30pm, with an application submitted to extend access to 24 hours a day.

Poppy Manning, marketing manager at East Street Pub Company, said the team had worked to retain the character and heritage of the historic building, with the Clay Cellar Studios name reflecting its connection to the site.

‘We’re looking forward to showing people what we’ve created’, she said.

‘There’s been a lot of work involved, but we believe we’ve developed something that offers far more than a conventional gym or a dedicated padel centre’.

She added: ‘It’s about fitness, sport, recovery and socialising – all in one place’.

For more information, visit Clay Cellar Studios’ website - claycellarstudios.com - or visit its page on Facebook - www.facebook.com/claycellarstudios