Axminster gym announces plans to move to new home

A popular gym in Axminster is set to move to a new home.

Oliver Joseph Fitness, currently based at the former Lawsons Hardware Store building in Lyme Street, will be moving to the current Axminster Tools building in Trafalgar Way.

The gym's current location was always intended to be temporary, with long-term plans to demolish the building and create a new convenience store with nine apartments in its place.

Confirming the move on Facebook, Oliver Joseph Fitness wrote: "As many of you know our current building was only ever temporary and due for redevelopment. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank our landlord Graham Barton for the opportunity to establish ourselves in Axminster.

"We are pleased to finally announce we have secured our future in the town and we will be moving a very short distance down the high street to the current Axminster Tools building.

"We have been in discussion with Axminster Property over the last few months to get the right building with the right layout to give you the best facility we can

"We will be starting work in the coming months and can't wait to welcome you all to a completely new gym.

"We are in the design stage still at the moment so if you have any ideas on what you'd like to see in the new gym please let us know.

"From all at OJ fitness, thank you for your support over the last two years we are looking forward to the next chapter."

A spokesperson for Axminster Property, which owns the building, said: "We are delighted to be working closely with local fitness provider Oliver Joseph on their plans for relocation.

"Through discussions with Ollie and George over the last few months we have agreed to provide them with a newly-converted space in the Trafalgar Way premises, soon to be vacated by Axminster Tools.

"Like Axminster Property, Oliver Joseph are committed to the local community and they provide a centre of excellence in their field. We are exceptionally proud to be part of their journey.

"Plans are now in the making to subdivide this building, owned by a local pension fund, into three units with Oliver Joseph occupying the whole of the first floor. Watch this space for more updates on our most recent project in due course."