Virgin Active eyes Bank of England’s sports ground

VIRGIN Active is poised to bid for the Bank of England’s historic country club. Sir Richard Branson’s gym chain said it was interested in turning the club into a leisure centre, but it has not yet made a formal approach.

The Bank decided to sell the sports club after MPs complained it was too costly, however the club’s members have warned that schools and other community groups will lose out if they are denied access to the grounds in Roehampton, South West London.

Sources told The Mail on Sunday that at least 40 bidders are interested in the venue, which served as the training ground for England’s victorious World Cup football team in 1966.

The 28-acre property comprises a rugby pitch, several tennis courts, a cricket pitch and a sports centre. It also has a five-storey period property and three cottages. Potential buyers have been invited to express an interest in all – or part – of the site.

Virgin Active, which is partowned by wealthy South African businessman Christo Wiese, said it could use the site to create a leisure complex similar to one it owns in nearby Chiswick.

The Bank originally purchased the site in 1908 to build a sports centre and record office.

Its clubhouse was used by the Royal Naval Air Service – the air arm of the Royal Navy – during the First World War. The grounds were turned into allotments during the Second World War and the clubhouse was destroyed by bombing.

These days the club hosts Wimbledon’s qualifying tournament. Wimbledon star Coco Gauff – the teenager who knocked out Venus Williams – qualified at the grounds this summer.