River Capital has announced a £250,000 investment through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund to support the expansion of EmpoweredFit Ltd, a thriving Wirral based fitness and wellness business, as it opens its second location in Liverpool City Centre.
The investment has enabled EmpoweredFit to acquire and fit out a new gymnasium premises capable of accommodating 5,000-6,000 members, more than doubling the company’s current capacity. The funding forms part of an expansion project, with additional support coming from Mercia Debt Finance and the founders personal investment.
Founders Chris Ellerby-Hemmings and Thea Holden have built the business on core values of community, support, and personal growth, creating a welcoming environment that addresses both physical and mental wellbeing with the company continuing to position itself at the forefront of fitness trends, including becoming an official Hyrox affiliate in 2023.
Since its establishment in 2017, EmpoweredFit has built a loyal community of nearly 3,000 members at its 22,000 square foot Wirral facility and has demonstrated remarkable resilience and member loyalty, with over 600 members voluntarily continuing to pay subscriptions during COVID-19 lockdowns when the gym was closed.
The new site will be one of the few gyms in Liverpool City Centre with dedicated parking and is strategically located close to major access roads, student accommodation with the business expected to create six new full-time positions, with additional self-employed opportunities for personal trainers.
Andy Jones Portfolio Manager at River Capital, commented:
“EmpoweredFit is an existing client that has consistently demonstrated impressive business acumen and a genuine commitment to their community. The loyalty shown by their members speaks volumes about the quality of what Chris, Thea, and their team have built. This expansion into Liverpool represents a natural next step for a business with proven scalability and strong operational processes. We’re delighted to support their growth through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund.”
Chris Ellerby-Hemmings, Co-Founder of EmpoweredFit, said:
“We’ve spent the last two years identifying the perfect location for our second site, and we’re incredibly excited about bringing the EmpoweredFit community experience to Liverpool City Centre. The demand from our existing members who work or live in Liverpool has been overwhelming and this expansion allows us to serve those members while creating capacity at our Wirral site. River Capital has supported us throughout our journey, and we’re grateful for their continued backing as we take this next step in our growth.”