A STATE-OF-THE-ART gym is opening in Runcorn, creating 15 new local jobs.

PureGym, one of the UK’s leading affordable gym chains, is moving into a site beside Homebase at Bridge Retail Park, on Thomas Jones Way.

Customers won’t be tied in to a membership contract and can use the gym at any time as it will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The company, which has more than 50 outlets across the country, hopes to expand into Widnes soon.

Angela Crawshaw, property director for PureGym, said: “The PureGym Runcorn will provide local residents with a fully equipped gym that not only offers exceptional value for money at an affordable price, but membership without a contract that ties you in for a long period of time.”

The 14,953 sq ft Runcorn gym opens in December and is now recruiting personal trainers, a manager and an assistant manager.

Fittings and fixtures are currently being installed.

There will be more than 220 pieces of the latest gym equipment to cover everyone’s fitness requirements.

More than 40 specialist classes will offer sessions such as Zumba and the new South African dance class, Bokwa.

The company believes everyone should be able to keep fit and healthy.

They have stripped away what they consider unnecessary facilities such as saunas, cafe bars and fluffy towels and replaced them with the latest kit and functional training zones.

The pre-opening proce is £9.99 per month plus a £15 joining fee. This will increase fo £16.99 with a £25 joining fee.