Holbeach St Marks 'People's Gym' now open at village hall

Holbeach St Marks Village Hall has been turned into a rural fitness centre for the community's use.

Gym equipment originally based in a community building at the Bakkavor Pizza site since 2009 has been moved to the village hall, in St Mark's Road, which is now a "people's gym".

The move came after the food producer needed extra space to ensure social distancing among its workforce.

Coun Nick Worth, a director of Holbeach St Marks Community Association. said: "Having a gym on the Bakkavor site has been a tremendous success and I am sure it was an added bonus for employees, as well as local residents.

"It was making a big contribution to their health and well-being so I would like to thank Adam Freeman, in particular, and his staff at Bakkavor for what has been a fantastic relationship over the last ten or so years."

The association's use of the community building started in 2004 when it was owned by Geest who offered the use of it to the village under a lease arrangement.

Bakkavor continued with the arrangement when it bought Geest in 2005 and four years later, funding was secured to buy the gym equipment.

Coun Worth said: "We are now moving into a new era and we hope our gym will continue to provide a fantastic facility for the local population.

"I would like to assure all current and new members that we will be complying fully with all the requirements needed to ensure their safety under the COVID-19 rules for gyms and we look forward to welcoming you to the village hall."

The gym is open from 8am until noon and from 4pm until 8pm, Monday to Saturday, with one-hour slots available to users.

For more details, visit www.hsmpeoplesgym.com/