Fast-growing high street health and fitness group Movers & Shapers has chosen Stratford-upon-Avon as the location for its first UK store outside London.
The company, which has four prime locations in the capital, has opened in 2,265 sq ft premises in Union Street, Stratford.
The deal was arranged by Bigwood Chartered Surveyors with landlords Shottery Investments on a six-year lease at an unspecified rent.
James Ironmonger, of the commercial department of Bigwood, said: “The choice of Stratford as the place to open its first store outside London sends an important message that the town is developing even further as a significant centre for retail businesses.
“Movers & Shapers has quickly become a leading player in the health and fitness sector and we are sure its extensive pre-opening research on Stratford will pay dividends.”
Movers & Shapers manager in Stratford Veronica Winter said: “We have 12 staff here and are ready to go following an excellent response from the public. I am a Stratfordian and it is very exciting to be bringing our brand to the town.”
Offering specialist exercise wear and body products as a retailer as well as personalised training, Movers & Shapers was launched in 2007, providing cardio-vascular and resistance programmes using state-of-the art Fitburg technology and Power Plate equipment.
The company has grown quickly in its high street environments with London stores up to 1,000 sq ft in size and it also offers a corporate model for businesses in space as small as 350 sq ft. It plans a roll-out of more than 100 new stores in the coming years.
Bigwood, which specialises in property services, has offices in Edgbaston and the city centre in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden.
