Fitness giant PureGym set to open at Teesside Park's former Millennium nightclub

PureGym has confirmed it is taking over Teesside Park's former Millennium nightclub.

The fitness giant will be opening a new 24/7 gym at Unit C2 at the leisure park, which was previously home to one of Teesside's most beloved nightspots. PureGym - the largest gym group in the UK - will be offering personal training, fitness classes and a range of state-of-the-art equipment at the new 15,000 sq ft gym.

Teesside Live reported last year how Middlesbrough Council had green-lit proposals for a gym to occupy the floorspace of the former nightclub, with planning documents confirming that talks were ongoing with a "potential operator". Now PureGym is set to take over the site - with an opening date earmarked for the end of this year.

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The gym - located next to the upcoming Ninja Warrior adventure park - was recently teased as "coming soon" after PureGym added a webpage online for its new Stockton location.

The chain currently has sites in Northallerton and Bishop Auckland as well as several others in Newcastle city centre and Durham. The new location at Teesside Park would be PureGym's first in the area.

The news comes just several years after the chain submitted plans to open a gym at Portrack Retail Park, in the unit now occupied by Michael O'Connor Furniture but formerly belonging to Furniture Outlet. Despite plans being submitted to Stockton Council, the PureGym site never came to fruition - although a OneGym did eventually open next door.

PureGym will be the latest in a long line of retailers to open up at Teesside Park, which is now home to over 60 stores and restaurants. They include the recently opened Nike, Lush and Wagamama and will soon be joined by the highly-anticipated Primark store.

The Millennium nightclub has a place in the hearts of many Teessiders, known for its epic foam parties to smoke-blowing "God" faces. It was open between 1996 and 2002 - and re-launched as Club NRG back in 2008 - but has been vacant for several years. Take a look back at what the club looked like in its heyday here.

Catherine Furlong, centre director at Teesside Park, said: “It’s fantastic to announce Pure Gym as the latest big brand set to join us. As well as bringing a great new offering to Teesside Park and supporting the health and wellbeing of our local community, it will also create even more job opportunities.”

A PureGym spokesperson said: “PureGym is excited to be bringing affordable, flexible fitness to Stockton-on-Tees later this year. The brand-new gym will be located on Teesside Park and will provide members with 24/7 access to state-of-the-art equipment, a range of exercise classes and PTs to help them achieve their fitness goals, all at great value.

"This will be a fantastic facility for the people of Stockton-on-Tees and the surrounding areas to help support their mental and physical wellbeing. We’re looking forward to welcoming members towards the end of the year.”