A local entrepreneur has fulfilled her dream of launching a unique hybrid fitness and wellbeing space in Hoylake, after securing a £150,000 loan through West Kirby-based business finance specialists, Bathgate Business Finance.
Jennifer Hackett, from Wirral, first developed the concept for Nomad Gym & Wellness during her own fitness journey eight years ago.
A regular gym-goer, who also practiced yoga and attended meditation sessions, she found herself travelling all over the city region to attend various classes, as no facility offered them all in one place.
Jennifer said: “I was frustrated by having to travel all over the city just to be able to do all the classes I wanted to, and it was crazy to me that no-one was putting the gym and other wellness practices together in one place. The idea for Nomad grew from that.”
After researching and visiting leading gym and wellbeing facilities in both the UK and US, Jennifer found that none were bringing the offers together and spotted a gap in the market.
Building on her previous entrepreneurial experience – establishing a chain of beauty salons in the city at the age of 19, which she sold in 2008 – Jennifer started scoping potential locations.
She also developed a business plan to take advantage of a gap in the market within the North West area, and combine the best of physical fitness including equipment, instructors and classes, with industry-leading mindfulness, meditation, mental wellbeing and education under one roof, in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Several locations fell through before Jennifer saw a “for sale” sign go up outside Hoylake’s former library.
Bathgate was introduced to Jennifer by her accountant Adam Brighouse, from DSG Chartered Accountants, to help develop the finance structure for her proposal to rent the building.
Although largely self-financed by Jennifer, additional funds were required to support the purchase of equipment and fit-out of the business.
Jennifer added: “The location was perfect because it is right in the heart of the community in Hoylake. The team from Bathgate were so excited about the concept and understood my vision from the start, and the fact it is also Wirral business was important, as I wanted to work with local suppliers, so we could create a thriving community together. They were invaluable in helping us to put a robust finance structure in place for the businesses.”
Paul Trickett from Bathgate Business Finance, said: “Jennifer’s passion for this project shone through from the start and we could see that she had identified a unique gap in the local market.
“Her understanding of the sector, clear vision for what Nomad would look like, and her community focus made her a pleasure to work with.
“We are so pleased that The Bathgate Capital Fund was able to quickly provide the finance needed to get the project over the line and we can’t wait to see where Jennifer takes Nomad from here.”
Nomad boasts a 2,000 sq ft state of the art open plan gym on the ground floor, with a separate 1,000 sq ft space dedicated to all things mind and wellness.
Pictured above: (L-R) Paul Tickett (Bathgate) Jennifer Hackett (Nomad) and Adam Brighouse (DSG)
Photo credit: Andrew AB Photography
