Happy days as entrepreneurs invest in gym chain

The Hoyle family, the entrepreneurs behind the Happy Days chain of children’s nurseries, has expanded its business portfolio with a major investment in Anytime Fitness 24/7 gyms in the North West.

Brother and sister team Sophie and James Hoyle have secured 20 franchise territories from the 24-hour gym operator.

The business partners are currently operating in Knutsford, Bramhall and Macclesfield and will soon be opening a fourth gym in Stockton Heath, Warrington. As part of an ambitious 2017 rollout strategy they are reviewing a number of potential locations across Manchester and Cheshire.

So far, the gyms have created 45 jobs and by the end of 2018 more than 120 jobs will have been created.

With £1.5m invested so far, seven gyms in total are expected to be open by the end of 2017, and 12 by the end of next year.

Sophie and James’ parents, David and Jackie Hoyle, first became Anytime Fitness franchise holders  in 2015.

Sophie Hoyle who studied economics and also worked in corporate and institutional banking at RBS in Manchester, said: “Investing in Anytime Fitness brings a wealth of benefits, it is a fantastic brand and we are delighted to be rolling it out here in the North West. Although this is a different sector for us, there is a lot of synergy and of course transferable skills. Our family thrive in the business world and this new enterprise gives us great expansion opportunities in what is a growing market.

“We are placing our state of the art boutique gyms right at the heart of each of their local communities, making them truly convenient with a friendly feel, so totally unlike the large out of town gyms.  The gyms are proving to be really popular, and they are providing a wonderful social hub, as well as a fitness centre of excellence.”