North East fitness firm OneGym is set to open more venues after a strong year of trading, with turnover rising 30% to £9.49m and operating profit up 36% to £2.9m.
OneGym was launched by brothers David and Paul Pearson with a single site in County Durham. It now operates 15 gyms across the region, including locations in Newcastle’s Eldon Garden, Wallsend, Stockton, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Newton Aycliffe, Redcar and Durham.
Investment and funding
The family firm focuses on providing the latest fitness equipment and classes without extras such as swimming pools that members may not want. In 2024, ThinCats, an alternative lender to mid-sized SMEs, provided undisclosed but significant funding to help the brand acquire new sites. That followed investment made in 2022 by Newcastle-based Middleton Enterprises.
Accounts for the year ended March 31 show the company invested £3.482m in tangible fixed assets, mainly for the continued development of the gym estate, new sites, equipment and improvements to existing facilities.
Membership and staffing growth
At the year end, OneGym had a membership base of 41,873, with an average of 2,990 members per gym. The average number of employees increased to 99 from 84, and 15 new staff joined during the year.
The company said it continued to manage inflationary pressures, including increases in staffing, utility, property and other operating costs. These were mitigated through membership growth, disciplined cost control, operational efficiencies and scale benefits from the expanding portfolio.
Future expansion plans
Director David Pearson said: “The year ended 31 March 2026 was another year of strong growth for OneGym Ltd. The company continued to expand its estate while delivering increased revenue, profitability and operating cash generation.
“Management maintained its focus on disciplined site selection, operational efficiency and providing members with high-quality facilities at an affordable price. Turnover increased to £9.492m from £7.293m in the previous year, representing growth of 30%.
“This growth was driven by the contribution from new gym openings together with continued membership growth and improved performance across the existing estate.”
Since the year end, OneGym has opened a site at Wynyard, and Sunderland Doxford Park is set to open soon. The directors said they remain confident in the company’s prospects and intend to continue expanding in carefully selected locations that meet its demographic, commercial and property criteria, while investing in its existing estate, equipment, technology and member experience.
