Mason Moore & Vaughan Moore | 20 May 2022

A NATIONAL gym operator have officially confirmed that they are to open a branch in Hinckley on Hawley Road sooner than later.

The Hinckley Free Press have learnt that The Gym Group are now actively aiming to bring the former Lidl building back in to use after sitting vacant and untouched for a total of two years.

The gym chain have added Hinckley to their official website as a new branch – and on the listing it states that the branch is “coming soon”, and once open, it will trade for 24 hours each day.

They have further lodged plans with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) for the installation of internally and externally lit fascia signs, a replacement panel to existing totem, and window graphics, but these are currently “awaiting decision”.

A statement has been posted on their website about the newly-announced location, simply reading: “If you’re looking for a gym in the Hinckley area with flexible membership and no contract then our new location on Hawley Road is for you!”

It continues: “You can find our bright and spacious new location on Hawley Road, only a 4-minute walk from Hinckley station and close to the town centre and Rugby Road park.”

Gym-goers would have no contract, meaning direct debits can be cancelled whenever they choose.

The gym would be fitted out with “top kit”, including a wide range of high-spec equipment.

Free classes would be held and knowledgeable personal trainers would be on hand to help users inside.

At the time of publication (Friday, 20 May), they have not yet shared a timeframe of when they plan to open their ‘bright and spacious’ site.

CGI imagery of what the gym could look like has been mocked up to illustrate what the gym could potentially look like, if the signage plans are fully approved.

Interestingly, the proposed signage plans show that the Gym Group would put their signage across all the main sections of the building.

But, planning has been approved to split it up into three retail units, and Leicester-based bathroom showroom, Pochins, were posed to take on one of the units.

It is unclear if the signage covering the front sections of the building in the planning mock-ups are solely an example, or if the chain have purchased the entire building.

The Hinckley Free Press have approached a spokesperson for the chain for comment, but have not yet heard back at the time of publication.