A 30,000 sq ft fitness centre is to open in Liverpool city centre later this year on the site of a former Wilko store, creating up to 20 jobs. Tony McDonough reports
A new 30,000 sq ft fitness centre will open on the site of a former Wilko store in Liverpool city centre this autumn, creating up to 20 jobs.
Fitness brand XF Gym has signed a lease agreement with RivingtonHark, owner of the St Johns Shopping Centre. It will offer training facilities and wellness spaces.
says the centre will feature an expansive open-plan workout zone, a women-only space, as well as fitness classes in its group exercise studios, including yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boxing, dance, and cycling.
Work will begin immediately on the development in the former Wilko outlet in the centre which closed its doors in late 2023. XF Gym will join existing tenants at the 540,000 sq ft centre which include JD Sports, Aldi, Liverpool FC Store, Sainsbury’s and Argos.
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Laurence Benson, chief executive at XF Gyms, said: “XF Gym is thrilled to bring its unique fitness experience to the heart of Liverpool – a city built on ambition, resilience, and unbreakable community spirit—values that define XF Gym.
“St. Johns Shopping Centre is the perfect home for our expansion. With its central location and excellent transport connections, we’re making world-class training facilities, market-leading wellness spaces, and a supportive community more accessible than ever.”
News of the new fitness centre comes just days after it was revealed David Lloyd Leisure plans to build a new health and fitness club at Wirral Waters in Birkenhead. Creating up to 100 jobs, it will include a gym, indoor and outdoor pools and tennis and padel courts.
Neil Ashcroft, centre director at St Johns Shopping Centre, added “With an unbeatable location, more than 1m visitors per month and a broad mix of retailers and leisure offerings, St Johns Shopping Centre is the perfect home for growing, innovative businesses like XF Gym.
“We share their sense of community, and I am sure Liverpool’s residents, shoppers and workers will love the new gym experience they offer.”
