Intent91 opens new gym at the Old Brewery in Portslade

Intent91 welcomed customers through its doors on Monday at its new location at the Old Brewery in Portslade.

The South Street site is the company’s second in Sussex, with its first located in Worthing since 2020.

Business duo George Branford and Emily Riggs first visited the brewery in September 2021 and after their offer was accepted embarked on a full revamp of the unit.

George Branford and Emily Riggs after getting the keys to the unit (Image: Intent91)

“When we first looked at it, it was still like the Old Brewery,” said Mr Branford, 28.

“So it was very run down and it hadn’t been shown much love.

“We completely transformed it.

“But we kept a lot of original aesthetics.

“It’s got really high ceilings and a really nice feel to it.

“Me and Emily originally started training people in Brighton, we originally had our business in Portslade.

“It’s always a place we wanted to go back to because we knew there was an appetite for what we do there.

“And then we saw the brewery and we knew it was very special and unique.

“We want places that have character and that’s what the brewery has.

“The space is amazing, and we know a lot of people in the area will benefit from our help.”

Inside Intent91's new gym in Portslade (Image: Intent91)

The launch got off to a flying start with the gym's founding memberships selling out prior to Monday’s opening.

“It’s been really hard work getting it to the point of opening,” said Mr Branford.

“And it felt quite surreal to actually see people coming in.”

Mr Branford promised gym goers a friendly space.

“We’re really excited to be bringing Intent91 to Brighton and Hove and we can promise we’re a super friendly gym," he said.

“So if people don’t like gyms or have had a bad experience in a gym they can come and say hello.”

The duo already have their sights on opening another new gym in Horsham early next year.

The reception at Intent91's new gym in Portslade (Image: Intent91)

“It’s in the stage of being transformed,” said Mr Branford.

“It’s got quite a lot of work to be done as well.

“It’s all go."