Newmarket Leisure Centre has won national recognition at a prestigious fitness industry awards ceremony.
The Suffolk facility beat off strong opposition to be crowned Local Authority/ Leisure Trust Gym of the Year at the National Fitness Awards 2018.
The awards, organised by Script Events and leading industry publication Workout, with support from headline sponsor ServiceSport, recognise excellence, innovation and achievement in all corners of the industry.
To come out on top, the gym went through a rigorous assessment process, which involved a site visit by a member of the awards’ team who toured the facility, chatted to members and staff and examined all areas of the business from member retention to customer service.
Detailed reports were then compiled and passed on to an expert judging panel, which included nutritionist, educator, speaker and writer Ben Coomber, JD Gyms commercial director Amelia Worrall, experienced author, broadcaster, group exercise expert and karate champion Dean Hodgkin, fitness guru and former contestant on The Apprentice Katie Bulmer-Cooke and award-winning gym owner Steve Johnson, who decided the winners in each category from the shortlists.
Abbeycroft Leisure’s CEO, Warren Smyth said,
“This is a huge achievement, going up against some of the industry’s top facilities and winning, so naturally we’re incredibly proud of the team at Newmarket who work so hard to ensure that every customer’s experience is first class.
Cllr Andy Drummond, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture at Forest Heath District Council said,
“We have made strong, healthy families and communities a council priority and I couldn’t be more pleased with this recognition, not only of how well we serve residents, but of how well local people use the facilities we provide. I congratulate Abbeycroft Leisure, our leisure trust partners, on delivering to such a fantastic standard, and for giving another reason to be proud of where we live.’
National Fitness Awards’ event director Judith Halkerston said,
“All our winners have had an arduous journey to this point – the standard of entries seems to just get stronger year on year and every facility that walked away with an award should be extremely proud.
“Our awards’ night is always an amazing celebration of the fitness industry as a whole – being in the run up to the festive season, many of the shortlisted clubs use the occasion as their staff Christmas party and it is lovely to see everyone having such a great time. It was a wonderful evening and it was lovely to share in the celebrations of the winners.”
Awards were presented in 22 different categories at a glittering ceremony at The Athena in Leicester, attended by nearly 700 health and fitness professionals and hosted by former TV Gladiators and fitness experts Jenny Pacey and Wayne Gordon.