For almost 14 years, The Gym Group Edinburgh City at Waverley Gate has provided affordable, accessible fitness facilities to people living, working and studying in the heart of Edinburgh.

Now, this long-established gym is scheduled to close on 30 November 2026, with approximately 3,000 members understood to be affected.

We believe this represents a significant loss to the community.

Why we are concerned

Affordable fitness: Not everyone can afford premium gym memberships costing £80–£100 per month. The Gym Group provides an important affordable alternative.

Accessibility: The central location allows members to exercise before work, after work and late into the evening. Travelling to another gym may not be practical or affordable for everyone.

Mental and physical wellbeing: For many members, exercise is an essential part of maintaining their health, managing stress and sustaining established routines.

Pressure on other gyms: The closure could result in additional demand at already busy facilities, including The Gym Group Edinburgh Meadowbank and nearby PureGym locations.

Jobs and livelihoods: Employees face uncertainty, while personal trainers risk losing clients and income if those clients cannot follow them to alternative locations.

What we are asking for

We call upon The Gym Group’s senior leadership, the owners of Waverley Gate, Melford Capital, and relevant elected representatives to work together to:

Urgently reconsider whether commercially sustainable arrangements could allow Edinburgh City to remain open.
Explore whether a temporary extension could prevent the immediate loss of the facility.
If closure cannot be avoided, identify suitable alternative premises within central Edinburgh.
Protect affordable access for affected members and provide appropriate support for employees and personal trainers.
We recognise that commercial property decisions involve financial considerations. However, the wider consequences for thousands of members and the local community deserve serious consideration.

We are not campaigning against The Gym Group. We are asking everyone involved to work constructively towards protecting affordable fitness in central Edinburgh.

Please sign and share this petition to demonstrate the importance of retaining affordable, accessible fitness facilities for the people of Edinburgh.

14 years serving Edinburgh. Approximately 3,000 members affected. Help us protect affordable fitness in the heart of our city.

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