£20,000 Start Up Loan helps Newcastle fitness business expand community gym
Newcastle-based fitness business NE1 Fitness Club has secured a £20,000 loan through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, with support from Business Enterprise Fund North East (BEF North East), to support the expansion of its community-focused gym.
Founded by Josh Hall, NE1 Fitness Club was established after Josh transitioned from a career in youth coaching and mentoring. Having worked at summer camps in the United States, Josh’s plans to pursue a permanent coaching role were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting him to explore a new path that combined his passion for helping people with his interest in fitness.
After qualifying as a personal trainer, Josh launched NE1 Fitness Club and steadily grew the business through group training sessions. As membership increased and demand for classes grew, the business outgrew its original premises and required a larger facility to continue expanding.
The £20,000 Start Up Loan enabled Josh to move into a new site just minutes from the original location, invest in the gym’s facilities and equipment, and create a space capable of supporting a growing team and membership base.
Since relocating, NE1 Fitness Club has surpassed 100 members and achieved its year-end turnover targets ahead of schedule. The business has also created new employment opportunities, with Josh bringing two new part-time members of staff into the business to support day-to-day operations and enhance the member experience.
Looking ahead, Josh plans to continue investing in the club’s growth, with ambitions to recruit a Head Coach within the next 12 months. The expanded facility will allow the business to introduce additional classes, improve its equipment offering and further strengthen the sense of community that has become central to the club’s success.
Josh Hall, founder of NE1 Fitness Club, said: “In March 2023, I took a leap by moving into a small unit and focusing on growing my group training sessions. Over the next two years, the business continued to grow, and we reached a point where we needed a bigger space to support our members and future plans.
“When the perfect location became available, I had some funds saved, but I wanted to do things properly rather than cut corners. The Start Up Loan gave me the additional funding I needed to make the move and invest in the business with confidence.
“The application process was thorough, but the support I received from Rowan and the team at BEF North East was fantastic. Whenever I needed guidance, they were there to help, and that made a huge difference throughout the process.”
Rowan Green, associate investment manager at Business Enterprise Fund North East, said: “NE1 Fitness Club is a fantastic example of a business that has grown organically through hard work, dedication and a strong connection with its community.
“Josh had already built a loyal customer base and a successful business model. The Start Up Loan provided the additional support needed to help him take the next step, expand his facilities and create new opportunities for growth.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to support entrepreneurs like Josh, whose ambition and commitment are helping to strengthen local communities and contribute to the North East economy.”
Louise McCoy, managing director, Start Up Loans Products at the British Business Bank, added: “Josh’s journey demonstrates the resilience and determination that so many entrepreneurs show when building a business.
“NE1 Fitness Club has grown from a passion for helping people into a thriving community-focused business, and it is great to see how the Start Up Loans programme has supported that growth, including job creation.”