Tony Harrison, owner of BayPoint on the former Pfizer social club site in Sandwich

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Pfizer’s former social club has re-opened as a multi-million pound sports and fitness centre with the creation of 20 jobs and the promise of 100 more.

BayPoint gave visitors a taster at the weekend, showing the way ahead for the redundant 17-acre site sold by Pfizer after announcing its shock departure from Sandwich.

Thanet businessman Tony Harrison bought the site, invested a substantial sum and pledged a further £6m - and 100 new jobs - over the next few years.

BayPoint features outdoor and indoor football pitches, tennis and squash courts, a sports hall, fitness studio and a £350,000 gym, plus bar, bistro and ballroom.

Mr Harrison said he wanted BayPoint, situated on the main road between Sandwich and Ramsgate, to be a home from home for East Kent people and an attraction for people countywide.

“This is a real phoenix from the ashes story,” said Mr Harrison. “The departure of Pfizer and the loss of jobs devastated this part of Kent but now the buzz at BayPointy is feeling infectioous.

"There’s a real swell of support across East Kent for what we’re doing here. I want BayPoint to become a real community asset.”

The complex officially opens on September 3.