LEISURE entrepreneur Gary Aitken is planning to open more low-cost gyms after acquiring the Fitness First facility at Nerston West, East Kilbride, which closed before Christmas and will relaunch next weekend.
Aitken believes there is growing demand from cash-strapped fitness fans for a value alternative and has plans for more gyms in Scotland this year.
The East Kilbride facility had become involved in an attempt at a company voluntary arrangement to refinance the business. Now it will be run under the Fit4Less brand, part of the Energie franchise.
The deal has preserved about 20 jobs which were at risk, including some members of staff who had worked at the gym since it opened in 2002.
Aitken said: “I am delighted that we have been able to preserve jobs at a major sporting attraction, particularly at this time of year.
“Fit4less will offer improved facilities to members – as the name suggests – at extremely competitive rates.
“Unfortunately, as ownership of the business has changed, clients will have to take out new membership with Fit4less but this will not cost as much as before.”
The building is now nearing the end of a £600,000 refurbishment, with the new-look venue expected to reopen on Saturday.
Under its new branding, it will join the Energie Scotland stable of fitness centres, now the biggest provider of its kind in Scotland.
David Weir, the managing director of Energie Scotland, said: “Our concept is one of low cost but high quality.
“People don’t want to spend a lot on their gym membership they don’t use all the time.
“They want to enter an environment where they can get fit yet still feel they are receiving value for money.”
Energie is the fastest-growing fitness club franchise business in the UK and regards itself as the market leader in the area of fitness and wellness franchising.
It has built a chain of almost 100 clubs with 70,000 active members across the UK, Ireland, Latvia and Qatar in seven years.
Until recently, the leisure market has been biased towards the top end of the market, offering a range of sporting activities.
Fit4Less, often housed in small centres, is targeted at those on a lower budget or requiring basic exercise facilities.
