We’ve run out of superlatives to describe the growth rate of Anytime Fitness, the 24-hour gym franchise. Fitness freaks in the UK are certainly showing their love for the company: back in August, it opened its 50th and 51st clubs on these shores. Another 14 more sites are expected to be unveiled later this year, while a further 40 clubs are currently in legal discussions and are due to open early in 2016. With an additional 110 clubs lined up after that, Anytime Fitness is well on track to become Blighty’s biggest health and fitness club based on number of sites.
Given how fast Anytime Fitness is expanding across the UK, it’s little wonder the franchise is having to increase the size of its team accordingly. Its latest hiring spree has seen six new faces added to the company’s property team in a bid to accelerate the further rollout of sites in Britain.”
The six new recruits include five leasing managers: Kevin Cockburn has joined the company from Asda; Kirsty Berry has made the move from Majestic Wine, Simon Copper has come on board from Travis Perkins; Heather Blenkinship has been plucked from Colliers; and Brandon Jones is recently qualified. Finally, Guy Terry has joined Anytime Fitness’s ranks to drive the legal process and make sure each new club is opened on time. The company has also appointed three external agencies – Cushmans in Scotland and the north of England, BWP in the Midlands and Jackson Criss in the south – to help find suitable properties.
“The growth of the company presents an exciting challenge for this new-look team to identify suitable properties of around 5,000 sq.ft that are conveniently located,” said Brett Edwards, general manager at Anytime Fitness. “The increasing demand for new sites is driven by the fact that existing franchisees are seeing excellent returns on Anytime Fitness’ proven business model and are now rolling out multiple sites.”
Stephen Rough-Whitta, head of property at Anytime Fitness UK, added: “Following a review of the business and skills we need in the team to open more clubs, we have decided to further strengthen the calibre of the team and invigorate operations to help us reach our target of 350 clubs by 2018. We now have a ten-strong in-house property team, which includes a programme manager and town planner, and together they are already starting to agree some great new deals.”
It’s safe to say Anytime Fitness’s growth is more of a sprint than a marathon.“
