A gym chain owned by the JD Sports group will open its first outlet in Northern Ireland later this month.
JD Gyms has announced its new 24-hour facility will open at Hillview Retail Park in North Belfast at the end of January.
It’s the latest boost for the revamped retail park, which has been anchored by Lidl and Home Bargains since 2021.
Prior to that, the Crumlin Road shopping destination had been dormant for more than a decade.
Starbucks and charity Habitat ReStore also occupy units at the North Belfast site.
JD Gyms look are set to take on two of the vacant 8,500 sq ft units.
The group is currently in expansion mode, with 83 gyms across the UK and a further eight due to open within weeks.
Its website confirms Belfast will be among the locations.
“JD Gyms Belfast will be a state-of-the-art facility, located just over a mile from the city centre at Hillview Retail Park,” it states.
Crumlin Road. Another two units occupied in the Hillview Retail Park. JD Gyms opens 24/7 at the end of the month - their first premises in NI pic.twitter.com/IkqI9aCF7W
— David Nevin (@DavidNevin) January 2, 2024
“We’ll have 100s of pieces of the very best fitness equipment, huge class studio hosting unlimited classes, Eleiko functional zone, dedicated glute area, sled track and luxury changing rooms with saunas.
“There will be vast free weights and cardio areas with equipment to suit a wide range of people. Plus we’ll be open 24 Hours.”
Hillview Retail Park is owned by Killultagh Estates, which also owns both the Connswater Shopping Centre and the Castlebawn Shopping Centre in Newtownards.