Opening of new £700,000 centre

A new £700,000 health and fitness club will be officially opened tomorrow in Whitchurch, creating several new jobs.

The complex, part of the Shropshire-based Bodytech chain, will be in purpose-built premises on the Waymills Industrial Estate.

The project has been led by Bodytech directors Jeff Anderson, Peter Metcalfe and Keith Barratt.

Managing director Jeff Anderson said: "The new health club has created eight new jobs, and there are still vacancies for local people.

"We have already received an excellent response from the people of Whitchurch, Wem, Nantwich and surrounding villages, and have already signed up 150 new members, with a future target of 800, from an age group between 16 and 86 years.

"The range of facilities will include a fully-equipped gym with full set of cardio-vascular machines, 10 treadmills, four rowing machines, seven bikes, six cross-trainers, a range of weight machines, free weights, dumbbells up to 50 kilos, a full set of Life Fitness Strength machines and a very large aerobics studio.

"They are all in a fully-air-conditioned and relaxing environment with 12-square-feet TV screens to provide in-house entertainment.

"There is ample car parking with room for 50 cars and it is an ideal location."

Jeff said the two-storey, 6,500 sq ft health and fitness club will be managed by Peter Metcalfe, general manager, and Ben Cheadle, manager.

"They have a wealth of experience in the industry and will be leading a team of dedicated, fully-qualified personal trainers who will be providing free training and regular updates to members," said Jeff.

"The new health club has been a personal passion of mine, and has become a template for a future chain of Bodytech health clubs.

"It is the first purpose-built club we have created, so it has become a model for our future ambitions, with an Oswestry-based facility being considered."

The Bodytech Health Club will be open 7am to 9pm on weekdays, and 9am to 2pm at weekends. Bodytech has two other clubs in Shropshire - in Shrewsbury and Market Drayton - with a combined membership of nearly 2,000.

Details about the new facility and of how to become a member can be obtained by calling 01948 663803.