Penarth's first 24-hour gym opened today after almost four years of planning, construction and delays.

Anytime Fitness Penarth, opposite the police station on Windsor Road, offers gym access and fitness classes to members starting at £31.95 per month.

Deputy Town Mayor Laura Rochefort cut the ribbon at 8am this morning, marking the end of a difficult period of successive delays. The first arriving member was handed a bottle of Möet to celebrate.

After acquiring the site in 2017, the national gym chain initially planned to open in February 2020. But difficulties with their original contractor set this date back.

When the pandemic struck, supply problems caused further delays and the revised opening date of October was pushed back even further.

Speaking to Nub News this afternoon, club manager Gary Morris said he his thrilled the wait is finally over.

"It's been a very long time coming, but we can forget about all that now. We're very much open for all the community of Penarth and we're going to be a community-focused gym."

According to Gary, a "couple of hundred residents" have already become members. He told us the way the gym functions will be shaped by the needs of its members.

"We've set aside 30% of our gym, so we'll get our members' feedback and then fill in the gaps with what they want," he continued.

"It's all about delivering the gym Penarth wants to see. Based on the feedback we've already had, we saw people want group exercise classes, so we've put in two group exercise studios."

When gyms closed during lockdown, active people nationwide turned to exercising at home. Many have said they will not be returning to gyms even when social distancing restrictions are fully lifted.

But Gary is confident that people will continue to join in droves.

"It's been going really well so far. The vibe is brilliant and everyone is really excited. We're a 24-hour gym and it's so convenient. It's centrally located in Penarth, right on the way in and out of Penarth and near the station.

"The demand is there and people want to be spoken to face-to-face, and we want to speak to them."

You can join by following THIS LINK. Use PEN3RD in the promotional code area to secure membership for £31.95 per month.