Posted:27-November-2019
Snap Fitness set to open at Elwick Place in Ashford
Snap Fitness, one of the world’s fastest growing gym and fitness club franchises, will open at the Elwick Place leisure complex in Ashford town centre.
In a joint announcement, Snap Fitness UK, Ashford Borough Council and Stanhope PLC confirmed that the company has chosen Ashford, one of the fastest growing towns in the South East, to unveil its latest franchise operation. Snap Fitness UK has signed a 10 year lease on the 4,284 sq ft unit 8, which is located on the first floor of the cinema, restaurant and leisure development.
The company will create at least 10 jobs for the town and plans to open its doors in January 2020. Snap Fitness launched in the USA 15 years ago and now has 2,000 gyms worldwide. It operates in 20 countries and currently has 67 gyms in the UK.
Isaac Buchanan, CEO of Snap Fitness UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to add Ashford to our list of locations across the UK. This represents an investment of more than £500,000 in Elwick Place and the team will be working hard to get the new club ready to welcome new members. “Our members enjoy 24/7 access to world-class cardio equipment, a large free weights area with an Olympic lifting rack, group fitness classes, dedicated functional training areas with boxing, TRX, and more! All this on month to month memberships, with no long term contracts.
“If you’re new to gyms or it’s been a while since you’ve worked out, we can help you get started. If you’re an experienced trainer, we provide you with the variety you need to keep your workouts fresh. We are passionate about making Snap Fitness Ashford a happy and healthy and place for all members young and old, at all levels of experience.”
Snap Fitness joins a number of other tenants signed up for Elwick Place. Macknade is about to open a restaurant and food hall in unit 1, while Afro-Caribbean restaurant Dansaki is opening its first UK business in unit 6. The Ashford International Model Railway Exhibition Centre has set up temporary home in unit 2 to showcase its plans to create a permanent visitor attraction expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
Elwick Place – which is owned by Ashford Borough Council – is also home to a Picturehouse cinema, which has just been shortlisted in the Cinema of the Year 2019 awards, and a 58-bedroom Travelodge hotel.
Ashford Borough Council Chief Executive Tracey Kerly said: “I welcome Snap Fitness to the town. The company has chosen Ashford to launch its latest outlet in the UK and that decision is a sign of real confidence in the town. I wish them good fortune in the future.”
Gary Bourne, Development Director at project partner Stanhope Plc, said: “Snap Fitness brings a new and different offering to the leisure mix at Elwick Place and I’m looking forward to seeing them take their place alongside the other high quality businesses making Ashford their home.”
Negotiations are underway with a number of businesses interested in taking space at Elwick Place, with further announcements expected soon. The first phase of Elwick Place opened in December 2018, anchored by the six-screen Picturehouse boutique cinema and the Travelodge hotel. The development also features nine retail / restaurant units on the ground floor and a 282 space car park.
Ashford Borough Council funded the construction of Elwick Place in partnership with Stanhope PLC. Built on the site of a former cattle market, it is part of a wider £520m of investment in Ashford town centre under construction or with construction to start soon.
Interested and want to know more about Snap Fitness?
The Snap Fitness profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
