Anytime Fitness to open nine new health clubs by end of May as entrepreneurship thrives during lockdown

Anytime Fitness UK, one of the largest health club operators in the UK, is set to open nine new locations before the end of May following a successful period of growth during its enforced closures.

The expansion of the leading fitness franchise, which currently has over 175 locations across the UK and Ireland, has begun with the opening of a new club in St Helier, Jersey, this week, a new territory for the brand.

Further openings will follow in April and May in Addlestone, Ashford, Daventry, Epsom, Fulham, Newark, Solihull and Penarth, with new clubs being owned by a combination of brand-new franchisees to the network as well as owners adding further sites to their portfolio following business success.

“As we start to see the light at the end of tunnel, we’re proud to be able to support more ambitious entrepreneurs in fulfilling their dreams of owning their own businesses,” said Neil Randall, CEO of Anytime Fitness UK. “Some of these owners have had openings delayed by over nine months in some instances and can’t wait to open their doors and begin improving the health of their local communities.

“The past year has seen a lot of people reassess their life and business objectives and it’s been great for us to be able to welcome new faces to the network as well as supporting current franchisees to own further clubs. While we continue to call for further Government financial support following a tumultuous past year for our industry, it’s important to look forward positively and celebrate success stories like this where we’re able to make more facilities available to communities across our network to improve their health and wellbeing, which has never been more important or more essential.”

Pent-up demand for fitness memberships has been significant during this latest lockdown and these new clubs have seen substantial demand from potential members. The St Helier club in Jersey, which opened on Monday 15 March following the end of a four-month lockdown on the island, had already recruited over 750 members before their grand opening. 

“We’re so excited to be able to open the first 24-hour health club in Jersey,” said Connor Thorne, Director of Anytime Fitness St Helier. “It’s been great to see the reaction from people on the island of what we’ve done with the club and we’ve never been somewhere before that surpasses London in terms of the public’s interest in health and wellbeing. It’s great to be able to open and we’re looking forward to growing with the island and supporting people to live healthier lives.”

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