A HEALTH club is demolishing its squash courts to make way a brand new “cutting edge” exercise studio.

The David Lloyd gym in Snakes Lane, Southend announced to its members that it will be removing its squash courts from the site to create a new space, called Blaze.

The ‘Blaze’ facility will be a new form of interval training which combines mixed martial arts with a range of other exercises.

A spokesman for David Lloyd, said: “Last year we introduced an exciting, cutting edge, boutique-style group exercise class called Blaze, which has proved to be a big hit with our members.

“So, we’re rolling it out to more clubs and by spring 2019 Blaze will offered in around half of our 114 clubs.

“As a result, we’re building a Blaze studio at Southend.

“We have already extensively considered all options to see if there any other alternatives available to us, but unfortunately we will have to reluctantly lose the squash courts at the club.”

The two courts at David Lloyd will officially close on September 17.

Although the change has been wanted by many users across the country, users of the squash court in Southend have been left disappointed by the decision.

A member, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “This is happening all across the country and there has been some big campaigns and significant social media coverage which in Gidea Park’s case has resulted in a halt to the loss of two courts from three.

“They have been given a six month’s reprieve, which is good considering there is actually more people playing squash at Gidea Park than Tennis.

“In Southend’s case we only have two courts.

“There is certainly plenty of members using the courts and I was about to help them start an Essex League team.”

Rose Gell, from Southend, another user of the court was upset with the plans.

She said: “It is a vital source of fitness for the older residents in the area.

“We only received the news a matter of days ago and it has not been dealt with in the right way at all.”

The spokesman for David Lloyd gyms recognised the concerns of members.

They added: “We appreciate this change will affect our valued squash members and sincerely apologise.

“We’re not taking these decisions lightly and our club teams are speaking to the members affected to see how we can minimise the impact of these changes.

“We remain committed to being Europe’s leading racquets group, offering 163 squash courts, in addition to our 1000 tennis and 274 badminton courts.

“We’ll continue to take on board feedback from all of our members to make sure that we provide great facilities for everyone.”