Anytime Fitness plans to open more than 20 new clubs in 2022 and is targeting city centre locations which previously would not have been obtainable owing to high rents.
During 2021, Anytime Fitness opened 16 new clubs and aims to pass the 200-club landmark this year. As well as city centre sites, it is also looking to grow in business parks and shopping centres.
The expansion comes amid the change in perception of the health and fitness industry among landlords and property agents after the pandemic.
CBRE said it had seen landlords engaging with the health and fitness sector more collaboratively and considering gyms’ potential as commercial tenants. It attributed this trend to the repositioning of retail assets following the pandemic and landlords reassessing their options.
Ben Dixon, chief development officer at Anytime Fitness UK, said: “Having worked in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years, we have never been in a better place to access the property market.”
Adam Caplan, director at CBRE, added: “Rental values on strong-performing high streets and retail parks have traditionally restrained gyms from being able to trade there; higher rents, when combined with other property costs, were unsustainable. The pandemic has created a situation where rents have been rebased to be more affordable in many areas, making it more viable for gyms to operate there.”
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