Fitness Express to open gym in listed hotel

Fitness Express, part of the Crown Sports group, is set to open a new health and fitness club at the Cambridge Quy Mill Hotel in Stow-Cum-Quy, Cambridgeshire.

The 6,500sq ft purpose-built facility will be Fitness Express's first investment venture - and signals a move in a new direction for the group.

The £2m club, designed by architects Tom Stark Neil Associates, will form part of the Grade II listed former watermill. 'Cambridge Quy Mill is a beautiful 19th century property,' says Dave Courteen, managing director of Fitness Express.

'Because the new club is housed in one of the original mill buildings, we have had to work within strict parameters to ensure it doesn't compromise the aesthetics of the hotel.'

Facilities will include a central 12m swimming pool, a large gym, fully-equipped by Precor plus a sauna, steam room and spa pool.

'We would not have wanted the risk of developing a facility of this size had it not been for the commitment Fitness Express have shown by investing in the club,' says David Munro, managing director at Cambridge Quy Mill.

Fitness Express is now offering a range of tailor-made services, including market analysis, feasibility studies and complete contract management.