Revolution Lifestyle, a 24-hour gym in Bangor, Co Down, is to open this weekend after an investment of £1.5m.
Features of the gym at Circular Retail Park include golf simulators, a “recovery hub” that has hot and cold baths, and a “nutritionally focused café”.
The gym was supported by the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, which is managed by Whiterock. The fund accounted for £450,000 of the £1.5m total investment raised by Revolution.
Revolution Lifestyle, which will launch on Sunday, was described as bringing “training, recovery and social connection together under one roof”.
“Revolution Lifestyle offers an environment where members can focus on both their physical and mental wellbeing, supported by a strong sense of community,” it said.
Daniel Rutter, general manager of Revolution Lifestyle, said: “Revolution Lifestyle has been built with community at its core. Our ambition is to create a welcoming space that goes beyond the traditional gym experience, somewhere people at every stage of their fitness journey feel comfortable, supported and inspired to prioritise their health and wellbeing. While we are committed to high standards and expert guidance, this facility is ultimately about bringing people together.
“We want to build a positive, inclusive environment where members can train, connect and grow as part of a strong local community. We’re incredibly grateful to Whiterock for their support in helping bring this vision to life and look forward to working alongside them as we open our doors and establish a new hub for health and wellbeing in Bangor.”
Whiterock, which manages more than £255m across five funds, also operates the Investment fund for Northern Ireland, and oversaw just under a third of the total investment in Revolution. The fund is operated by British Business Bank.
Una Warnock, investment director at Whiterock, said: “The Revolution Lifestyle model is a gamechanger for the local fitness community in Bangor. We are pleased to support Daniel and his team through the fit out and opening of the flagship site in Circular Retail Park. The luxury fitness market is growing, with many making their physical and mental wellbeing a priority and wishing to train in a premium environment with access to amenities beyond a regular gym.”
The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland provides debt and equity funding to support Northern Ireland’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development.
Its debt financing ranges from £25,000 up to £2m, while it makes equity investments of as much as £5m.
Sue Barnard, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, said: “We’re pleased to see the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland supporting Revolution Lifestyle to bring this exciting new facility to Bangor. This investment shows how the fund can help businesses open their doors to customers in fantastic new premises by providing the right finance to realise ambitions.”