Acrobatics centre bringing the circus to Surrey acquires second facility

A popular Surrey fitness and health business is set to open a second facility in Camberley to cope with increased demand.

Prime Acrobatics, which offers a blend of gymnastics, acrobatics and circus skills to children and adults, has nearly completed the fitout at Prova Court.

Dozens of jobs will be created when the new facility opens in June.

Property consultancy Vail Williams sourced and secured change of use for the 16,421 sq ft premises on the town’s Yorktown Business Park, formerly used as science labs.

Based at Heather Farm on Horsell Common in Woking since 2016, Prime Acrobatics has taken a 15-year lease on the new site for an undisclosed sum.

A lengthy programme of works has included removing two thirds of the first floor, which reduced the size to around 11,000 sq ft, but delivered the height needed for gymnastics and acrobatic equipment.

Some upstairs space has been retained for offices, a viewing area and a studio, with a cafeteria set to be added later.

Charlie Nicholson, partner at Vail Williams’ Woking office, said: “Prime Acrobatics is a valued and progressive client with whom we’ve been working for some years.

“The search for a new unit was complex, as any potential landlord had to be willing to consider change of use to Class E, gymnasium.

“Thankfully at Prova Court we found the perfect premises, in an excellent location for easy public access.

“In a sense, this is a complete reversal of the current trend in which more properties are being acquired by life sciences organisations.

“This deal was all about helping people, particularly children, stay fit, active and healthy.”

Prime Acrobatics was founded in 2012 by gymnast Chris Bowler, formerly a coach with the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, and Clem Malcolmson, a former UK gymnastics stalwart.

The company has more than 1,600 members at Woking and many more on a waiting list.

Each week, it hosts 33 preschool classes for 500-plus children aged four months to three years, 40 classes for 1,000 four to 11-year-olds, nine classes for pre-teens and teens, plus a selection of short courses each month for parkour and adult gymnastics/circus classes.

Matte Hart, company operations executive, said: “We’re indebted to Vail Williams for helping us to acquire our new larger facility, Prova Court, and we’ve been working non-stop to get it ready for action.

“We currently have 62 staff on our books, and with the introduction of our Camberley facility, we look forward to reaching more than 100 employees.

“Our current recruitment drive offers opportunities for full and part-time positions covering coaching, management and administration.”

Prime Acrobatics was commended by British Gymnastics and shortlisted for the National Community Club of the Year Awardin 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Co-founder Chris added: “We’re proud to already be the home of one of most unique facilities in the UK, with a blend of gymnastics, acrobatics and circus skills.

“Our varied class programme includes traditional gymnastics activities as well as tramp wall, parkour, juggling, aerial silks, trapeze, tight wire, teeterboard, Chinese pole and more.

“The Camberley facility will allow us to bring our unique programme to a new area and expand it in new ways thanks to the higher ceiling heights.

“Our ethos is simple – to give more children and adults the opportunity to enjoy exercise and benefit from living a healthy lifestyle and to help them challenge themselves to reach their full physical potential within a safe and happy environment.”