Competitive social complex replaces Bannatyne at Sunlight House
The firm behind PINS Social Club in Liverpool and owner of the Almost Famous restaurants, has signed a 20-year lease on the 25,000 sq ft former gym with Karrev’s grade two-listed Manchester asset.
The space, which spans three floors of Sunlight House including the basement, was occupied by a Bannatyne gym until the end of 2023.
As part of Karrev’s £35m redevelopment of Sunlight House, the former gym is to be transformed by late spring 2026 into a venue that features bowling, darts, pool, and shuffleboard among its line-up of activities.
There will be beer pong and karaoke for those that way inclined, while live sports and music will also be on offer. Food will be served throughout the day.
D2 Investments, the company behind the scheme, was founded by Daniel Gillbanks and David Scowcroft, who opened their first social club on Liverpool’s Duke Street in February 2020.
Gillbanks said: “The vision for our business is centred around the guest – delivering an immersive experience in a venue that spans numerous common offerings.
“Providing a bar that unites competitive socialising, live entertainment and a strong programme of sports –with the core focus of creating an ‘arena- like’ experience for guests to be a part of.”
Managing director Daniel Kelly explained the rationale behind bringing PINS to Manchester.
“Manchester is a city that thrives on energy, culture, and community – everything that PINS is about.
“This new venue will be our biggest yet, offering a bold and exciting social space that’s purpose built for entertainment, competition, and ultimately, having a great time.”
Some 75,000 sq ft of the 210,000 sq ft Sunlight House is now let.
Julien Buronfosse, managing director at Karrev, added: “We’re thrilled that PINS, a renowned name in leisure and hospitality, has chosen Sunlight House as their first location outside of Liverpool.
“The PINS offering is diverse, dynamic and will provide tenants and the local community with an unparalleled leisure experience. We wanted to work with an operator that understood our vision of breathing new life into a historic building, contributing to the new era that Sunlight House is entering. The building has ambitions to be much more than Grade A office space, with a specific emphasis on community building.”
Karrev was represented by LBL Real Estate. Pro Active Leisure advised D2.
So the only swimming pool of any size in the city centre, which the previous operator said they wanted to stay in, with regular and loyal users – and also a key and unique original feature of a historic building – to be turned into a basically generic “concept” that could have gone in a railway arch, retail park shed, or just about anywhere else.
The sort of place you would only end up in for some kind of compulsory work night out team building look like you’re having fun or else affair, rather than out of choice?
By Anonymous
I’ll be boycotting PINS now it’s gone to Manchester. Same as I did with Bold St Coffee, Maray and Madre. What makes a city worth visiting if they have the same venues across them all.
By Anonymous
‘Owner of Almost Famous Restaurants’ does not inspire joy in the project.
By Anonymous
Replacing a valuable fitness resource for the growing city centre population with a work social venue, yikes.
By Anonymous
I agree. Why have they got rid of the pool?
By Rubbish
Quay Street is the new Print works, I avoid
By Anonymous
This round the corner from the great northern.. same businesses in there.. they don’t do well..this won’t either
By Anonymous
@ Anonymous 8.54am, businesses grow by expanding, whether in their original location or elsewhere. I assume then you don’t shop in HomeBargains, Matalan, Mark’s and Spencers, John Lewis, or drink in Wetherspoons, or eat curry in Mowgli.
By Anonymous
Anon 8:54. Are you Boycotting Tesco, Boots. KFC, ‘Spoons etc. etc.?
By Anonymous
‘I’ll be boycotting because…blah blah blah…’ I’m sure those businesses are devastated ! 😂
By Anonymous