JD Gyms debuts in Northern Ireland

A Belfast retail park has welcomed the first JD Gyms location in Northern Ireland as part of a duo of signings.

The gym operator has opened a 23,000 sq ft site at Hillview Retail Park, following a £2.05m investment.

Trade retailer Screwfix has also opened at the scheme, with the two signings bringing the retail park’s occupancy rate to 90%.

Hillview Retail Park now has just one 8,530 sq ft vacant unit remaining, whilst one drive-through and one drive-to site are also available.

Matthew McNutt, asset manager at Hillview Centre Belfast, said: “I am pleased to welcome JD Gyms and Screwfix to Hillview Retail Park, bolstering the strong occupier line-up and further establishing Hillview as a prominent retail, leisure and food and beverage destination. 

“It is significant that JD Gyms have chosen Hillview as their first location on this island and their substantial investment, together with the opening of Screwfix, endorses the scheme as a much sought-after location on the northern periphery of the city centre.”

Matt Sykes, head of operations at JD Gyms, added: “Hillview Retail Park is the perfect location for our first gym in Northern Ireland. With Hillview located just one mile from the city centre, within easy access of the primary motorway network and an area of c. 60,000 people, it felt like the perfect fit. It’s been fantastic to see the gym take shape over the last couple of months and we are confident there’s nothing like it in the area.”