SUCCESS STORY

Designing for lower costs from day one: Renegade Reformer

Renegade Reformer is a new pilates studio in Bristol. When creating their space, they prioritised reclaimed materials and energy-efficient systems to reduce upfront costs and build in long-term savings from the outset.

Impact at a glance

• Reduced fit-out costs by using reclaimed materials and second-hand equipment
• Projected to cut energy bills by around 40% with an air source heat pump
• Potential to reduce overall energy use by around 50% through combined measures

The business

Renegade Reformer is a fitness studio being set up in Bristol offering ‘reformer’-style pilates with a dynamic, strength-based approach to pilates classes.

Sector: Leisure and fitness

Location: South West

Employees: 1-10

Why they took action

As the business required renovating an existing structure to make a bespoke fitness studio, the owners wanted to implement cost saving measures both in the renovation process and in long-term energy savings. Unlike other gyms, the energy requirements for pilates studios are distinctive to the spaces and required a bespoke approach.

What they did

No cost to low cost actions

Reclaimed construction materials decreased cost for the renovations. This included fiberboard and plasterboard, £1000-worth of which was reclaimed for free.

Medium cost actions

A second-hand professional sound system was sourced which saved 70-80% from the cost of purchasing new.

Air source heat pump installed to replace the existing gas boiler, which is projected to decrease energy bills by 40%.

Heat recovery ventilation system was installed which has the capability of retaining approximately 80% of heat energy from exhausted air, further reducing energy costs.

Heat destratification fans are planned for the future. These are expected to reduce heating and cooling energy consumption by around 30%.

What difference it will make

By reducing construction cost with the use of reclaimed materials, the founders have been able to put that cost-savings into energy-efficient measures that will pay off with long-term savings, potentially reducing energy use by 50% compared to retaining the existing gas boiler and not installing the heat recovery system. Furthermore, by implementing energy efficiency, using second-hand materials for fit out and creating a plastic-free space, the owners have embedded sustainability into their brand, which will help them stand out in a competitive market.

Lessons for other businesses

Renegade Reformer shows how having a clear sustainability ethos from the outset can both reduce start-up costs and help build a brand. The owners also sought insights from existing fitness studios to develop the energy efficiency emphasis in the studio design showing the importance of making use of business networks.

Find out more about Renegade Reformer