New fitness studio opens with £20,000 EFG loan
A NEW health and fitness studio – operating on a pay-as-you-attend basis – has opened in Lancashire supported by a £20,000 Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) loan.
Billinge Health and Fitness Studio will offer group exercise classes, personal training, sports therapy and dietary advice.
The studio has opened at Barrows Farm, on Carr Mill Road, in Billinge which is half way between Wigan and St Helens. The funding from Natwest has covered the costs of fitting-out the studio, coffee area and toilets.
Founder Jan Leather – who has been working as a freelance trainer for several years – believes that the facility will prove attractive to people wanting to avoid being tied into monthly subscriptions at one of the large fitness chains.
She said: “It has taken a lot of time and effort to find the right venue however I am very pleased with the final result. Although freelancing gave me the chance to build up a customer base the lack of a permanent studio meant that I couldn’t really grow the business. I am looking forward to working with both existing and new customers.”
Jan has a decade’s worth of experience as a fitness instructor having previously worked for JJB, David Lloyd Leisure and Ruskin Leisure.
Barrie Keeble, business development manager at NatWest, said: “Jan has worked hard to build a freelance business in a competitive sector. Opening a permanent studio gives her the chance to take on more work and we wish her all the best in this venture.”
