THE GYM FRANCHISE BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO THE HIGH STREET

Leading gym franchise Anytime Fitness has enjoyed an exciting 2023 for new gym launches, with many of its new locations opening in previously unoccupied retail units.

Six of its new gyms in 2023 helped breathe new life into previously vacant retail spaces in Loughton, Upminster, Brentwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Gerrards Cross and Wimbledon.

These openings have created multiple employment opportunities for local communities, as well as demonstrating the confidence of commercial landlords in the ongoing performance of the fitness sector.

The previous uses of the new gym openings are as follows:

• Loughton – a closed New Look store
• Upminster – an M&Co store which closed earlier in 2023
• Brentwood – an old Laura Ashley store
• Leigh-on-Sea – a disused Post Office
• Gerrards Cross – a haberdashery that closed during the pandemic
• Wimbledon (opening January 2024) – an Argos store closed as part of Sainsbury’s encompassing the brand into its stores

“It’s been hugely motivating to see the fitness industry’s growing role into helping to revive the high street,” said Kieran Smith, Senior Property & Relationships Manager at Anytime Fitness UK. “These new gyms have shown the ability of our sector to take on these high footfall locations and give them a new lease of life as a facility that the local community can be proud of.

“Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the demand for gym memberships hasn’t waned and this is being increasingly recognised by commercial landlords. Gyms provide landlords with long-term security, as well as a tenant that can drive consumers to the high street and increase their dwell time in town centres. The strong performance of the entire Anytime Fitness network has made these openings possible and allowed us to be a preferential choice for landlords among fierce competition from household names in the retail industry.”

Anytime Fitness gyms offer members the convenience of round-the-clock access and a facility that prides itself on the quality of its equipment and in-house fitness coaches. As a franchised business, its gyms are at the heart of their local communities, creating inclusive and welcoming locations that any visitor can feel comfortable in.

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