There is good news for Shaftesbury residents who want to keep fit with a new gym opening this month. Hawkers Hill Gym at Wessex House on Longmead Industrial Estate is getting ready to welcome everyone of all ages and levels of fitness.

It is the lack of fitness and leisure facilities in the town that inspired 23-year-old Shaftesbury resident Jack Lever to search for premises and set up a gym. Jack who was born in Shaftesbury is a serving retained firefighter with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, and he knows the physical and mental health benefits of keeping fit and active.

‘I wanted to set up a gym with facilities where people can enjoy keeping fit, with easy and flexible membership options without being tied into rigid credit agreements,’ he says. ‘When I saw the premises in Wincombe Lane, owned by the Wessex Group, I knew they were ideal, being centrally located, enabling people to easily walk or cycle there.

‘I am very grateful to Simon and Alistair Morgan at Wessex Group for their support and encouragement, giving me the opportunity to set up the gym, which I already know through feedback on social media will be a great benefit to the local community.

‘Over the last two months it has been very hard work, getting the building ready to house the gym and I would like to thank my family and friends for all their help. ‘I hope people in Shaftesbury and the surrounding villages will come along and see the facilities and what’s on offer here.’

For more information email: hawkershillgym@gmail.com or pop in and see Jack at the gym