Gymshark to build Birmingham innovation hub

One of the Midlands’ biggest business success stories of the last decade has announced it is to build its first gym and innovation hub.

Fitness clothing brand Gymshark is launching launching Gymshark Lifting Club, a creative hub to combine research and development and working out into one unique facility.

The 55,000 sq ft high-tech complex will be located at the Connexion unit in Solihull, within walking distance of the Gymshark headquarters at Blythe Valley, as the company aims to create a ‘campus’ for its 270 staff.

Ben Francis, Gymshark founder, said: “During our time in this industry we have had the pleasure of visiting and training at the best gyms in the world.

“GSLC will see us combine our favourite parts of each of these gyms to create something which will serve as the ultimate home to anyone really interested in conditioning.”

Design and build company Oktra is designing the space.

Lead designer at Oktra, Sean Espinasse, said: “The new facility will include a studio for the new Gymshark fitness app, a 100-person auditorium, a R&D factory, several high tech photographic studios and a 20,000 sq ft gym. The space is designed to be a base for Gymshark’s creative teams, providing unique zones to try and test new ideas and products.”

The fitness clothing brand was founded by Aston University student Francis, then 19, in 2012 and in 2017 generated £42m sales worldwide.

The business was judged to be the UK’s fastest-growing company in 2016.

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