SWEAT TAKE 2

Luke Newton of Sweat Fitness discusses their new gym opening in the regenerated Knight & Lee premises

In 2015 we opened the doors of Sweat Southsea for the first time. We had taken on a damp and cold warehouse sandwiched between a carpet shop and tyre garage, and quite frankly we didn’t have a clue what we wanted to do, other than provide our clients with a training environment free from the crowds, egos, and intimidation of commercial gyms. Fast forward six years and we are preparing to open a new set of doors within the iconic Knight & Lee building — our gym will be in what was menswear and haberdashery! We’re excited to leave the back streets and hit the high street, with our new neighbours within the redevelopment including shared workspaces, retail, hotel, a cinema, and a bar. This past year has highlighted just how intrinsically entwined the six pillars of wellness are. We now realise that we need to focus on our social, emotional, environmental, spiritual, mental as well as physical well-being. 95% of our clients surveyed during the first lockdown said they were exercising to help their mental well-being. I’m not sure we’d have seen the same response pre-pandemic.

We’re proud of our holistic approach, and our members are set to benefit from access to a new digital member zone — home to workshops with psychologists, nutritionists, and other experts. We’ve been asking ourselves what further value can we offer our members? For the first time, our clients will enjoy independent gym use outside of their 1-1 sessions and classes. So, as well as hitting the barre or lifting barbells, our clients will now have the additional benefit of access to strength and cardio equipment. We believe that a hybrid approach is not a stopgap, but the future for gyms, so we also plan to continue with livestreaming and outdoor classes.

Sweat Southsea

We know that the gym can feel like a daunting and intimidating place, and it really shouldn’t be that way. Now more than ever, the gym should be a safe and welcoming space. That is why we put so much emphasis on the design process and questioning how the space will look and feel. The environmental pillar of well-being, for me, points towards the spaces we occupy and spend time in. It has been quite an experience to be so hands-on through the process. Where you’d expect to see mirrors or ‘motivational’ quotes, you’ll see artwork and colour. Whilst members will enjoy real privacy, the space is full of natural light as well as natural materials.

We believe that what sets us apart is the environment we create, our clients’ experience, and the expertise on offer. We are delighted to share this news — it has been a long time coming. Having had our doors closed for seven of the last twelve months due to lockdown restrictions, we are now busy planning our spring relaunch. Initially, we’ll have just 100 spaces for new members and clients. Visit www.sweat.fitness to find out more and register interest. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the THAT Group is continuing work upon it’s multi-million-pound plans to revitalise the vacant Knight & Lee building. The design will fully respect the historic and architectural integrity of the existing building, embracing many of the building’s external and internal fixtures and fittings. “Our plans offer a fantastic opportunity to boost the local economy and contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre, creating an exciting and high-quality destination for local people to meet, eat, drink, and work,” said Peter Tisdale, CEO of the THAT Group. The plans include: • Reactivated street frontages on Palmerston

Road and Clarendon Road, including several retail units, food and beverage and a large central communal reception area • Cinema screening rooms • Outside seating areas • Bike storage • THIS Workspace – delivering creative and versatile new co-work and private office spaces • Event space • Roof top bar with external terrace • Gymnasium (Sweat)

KEEP GOING TO PROTECT PORTSMOUTH

At the time of writing, the number of people getting coronavirus in Portsmouth is going down - which is a sign that everything we're doing is starting to slow the spread of infection. But, our local NHS remains under pressure. And we must keep going. Over 70% of COVID-related deaths in Portsmouth have happened during the last three months. Every one of those deaths is one too many. With vaccines on the way, the end is in sight - but we need to keep working together. We're asking everyone to: • Act like you've got it - 1 in 3 people don't show any symptoms • Don't bend the rules to mix with people you shouldn't • Stay at home as much as you can • Keep your distance from others and wear a face covering if you do have to leave the house

Coronavirus can affect anyone, but if we all keep doing our part, we will protect Portsmouth. If you have any symptoms of coronavirus including a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of or change to taste or smell, book a test immediately. For more information about coronavirus support in Portsmouth visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/coronavirus.

USE IT OR LOSE IT!

SALLY JOHNS FINANCIAL PLANNING Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

This year, make the best use of tax reliefs and allowances to help secure your financial future and the inheritance you leave to your loved ones.

ISAS

ISAs have become one of the most popular ways to save, principally because they are simple and readily accessible. The substantial increase in the ISA allowance to £20,000 was a very welcome step in encouraging individuals to invest for their future. However, as interest rates in the UK are lower than ever, money being held in Cash ISAs is failing to achieve the very basic objective of keeping pace with inflation. The result is real losses for savers.

Those who are investing their ISA allowance for the long term – in assets offering the scope for attractive levels of income and capital growth – are giving themselves a better chance of maximising the tax-saving opportunities on offer. Individuals yet to use their ISA allowance, or with accumulated ISA savings, need to carefully consider their options to ensure that they are maximising this valuable opportunity to generate tax-efficient capital and income for the future.

1 HM Revenue and Customs, ‘Estimated Costs of Tax Reliefs’, October 2019

PENSIONS

Saving into a pension is an even more attractive prospect than it was a few years ago. This is because there is much greater freedom for taking benefits; and pension savings can now be more easily left as part of a tax-free inheritance. However, the advantages extend further than just drawing benefits and passing money on to loved ones: the government still rewards savers by giving them tax relief on their pension contributions. Subject to certain limitations, for every 80p you contribute to a pension, the government automatically adds 20p in tax relief. Higher earners can claim extra tax relief through their annual tax return, so a £1 pension contribution can Sally Johns effectively cost just 60p. While tax relief is seen as a means to encourage pension saving, the annual cost to the Exchequer of providing it is around £40 billion! With the government under increasing pressure to reduce public spending, there’s no guarantee that the higher rates of tax relief will be maintained into the future. Those wishing to make their retirement plans a reality should consider fully utilising their annual allowance for this tax year to make the most of the tax breaks on offer. Unused allowances can be carried forward, but only from the three previous tax years. This financial year is the final chance for pension savers to use the 2017/18 allowance. To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, contact Sally Johns Financial Planning on 07736471839 or email sally.johns@sjpp.co.uk