One of Lancashire’s biggest gyms is set to open close to Blackburn town centre after a new operator was found for the site.

Body Tech Fitness will take up the spot of the former DW Sports Gym next to Vue Cinemas at Peel Leisure and Retail Park.

The unit has been empty for a number of years since the old gym closed.

In an announcement, Body Tech said: “We officially begin fitting out Lancashire’s largest independent gym this week, she’s going to be really special.

“A 24,000 sq ft playground of all things Body Tech, 24/7, packed with equipment at our city centre location, conveniently situated next door to Nando’s.”

The company also has locations in Ellesmere Port and Winsford and is set to open the Blackburn gym on February 1, 2025.

The location has been used as a fitness centre since it opened, but has been empty for seven years, since DW Fitness announced its closure at the site off Lower Audley Street in 2017, after 13 years.

Just after the Covid-19 lockdowns, JD Gyms, an offshoot of the multi-billion pound sportswear retailer JD Sports, opened on Hyndburn Retail Park near the border with Blackburn.

As well as a number of small community gyms dotted around the town, there is an Everlast gym located off Haslingden Road, a PureGym in the Mall and the council’s Leisure Centre hosts its gym next to Blackburn College.

The news will come as a big boost for Manchester based The IM Group Services, the retail arm of Adhan Properties which took over Peel Leisure & Retail Park in February 2023. 

The IM Group is the UK’s largest family owned and operated shopping management company.

In October it was announced a new McDonald’s will open on the location of the Pizza Hut restaurant directly opposite the new gym.

The full site takes in Vue Cinema, Ten Pin Bowling, Nando’s, Dunelm and the large Matalan store, and has large car parks plus easy access on foot from Blackburn bus and train stations.