Flood-hit gym finds new home
AHEALTH studio has relocated after a series of devastating floods.
Pioneer Community Health Studio is now based on Park Road, Bacup and an open day will be held on Saturday, October 15.
The company was initially based in the Pioneer Building in the town centre, before moving to Riverside, off Newchurch Road. Unfortunately the location lived up to its name and in eight years the premises suffered six floods causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Owner Gavin Smith said: “The last three floods we were not insured for because we could not get insurance.
“We have restructured the business and we now have a community interest company running the membership and the gym and I signed all the equipment over to the new company.
“We had to do a lot of work to our new premises and we had a massive amount of assistance to move all the gym equipment.
“We would like to thank all of our customers who helped us to relocate, carry out the work and help with cleaning up.
“Our customers have been excellent and they like the new premises, especially as the gym is light and airy.”
The health studio’s oldest customer is Malcolm Macdonald, 85, from Whitworth, who attends three days a week.
The former mechanical engineer has been keeping fit at Pioneer since it opened.
He said: “Everyone here is so lovely and I have met a lot of friends. By coming here it keeps me fit and stops me from becoming decrepit. Natalie and Gavin have done an excellent job.”
The new premises offers a new Olympic conditioning area, new functional training zone with three lane sprint track. It is partnership working with young people in care and also offers takes GP refer- rals for fitness on prescription.
The studio employs 15 people with more employed in the separate hair, beauty and chiropody studios. Two further studios for nails and tattoos are also planned.
The open day will be held on Saturday, October 15 from 10am to 6pm with fitness demonstrations, activities for children and 50 per cent off gym membership.
For more information contact 01706 878155 or email gavin@pioneerhealthstudio.co.uk