Midnight gym workouts may boost council's income

An east London council is considering keeping some of its leisure centres open until 2am to generate more income.

Tower Hamlets said extending opening hours at the Whitechapel and Mile End centres could meet "rising demand from shift workers and younger adults".

They also say it could allow badminton and other late-night bookings in the hall and more access to the fitness studio.

The proposal is included in the council's draft budget plans for the 2026-27 financial year, which starts in April.

While privately-operated 24-hour gyms have become common across London, council-run facilities tend to open during specific hours.

Whitechapel Sports Centre currently opens between 7am and 10pm on weekdays, and 8am and 4pm on weekends and bank holidays.

Mile End Park Leisure Centre opens 6am to 10pm weekdays, 8am to 6pm on weekends, and 9am to 9pm on bank holidays.

Proposals under consideration suggest they could both open until 2am every day except Sundays.

The later openings could cost the council an extra £250,000 but bring in £300,000 in new income in the coming financial year.

Proposals suggest this could rise to £100,000 in income in the 2027-28 financial year and to £120,000 the year after that.

However they say to achieve this leisure centre membership would need to increase by 600 people.

The proposals also said the council would need to raise an additional £25,000 through badminton and sports hall bookings.

Councillors on a cabinet committee endorsed the draft budget proposals at a meeting last week and the final budget is set to be voted on at a meeting of all councillors on 25 February.

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