Exelby Services, which won the innovation trophy for its fully-equipped public gym at last week’s Forecourt Trader Awards, is planning to repeat the idea at its Golden Fleece site at Carlisle.
The five-site operator initially introduced the cardio and strength-training centre as a free 24-hour service for truck drivers who park up at Coneygarth, off J51 of the A1(M) overnight.
But the facility – branded Torque Gym – has also been popular with the general public, who pay £3.95 a session, and staff who are allowed entry for free: amounting to 25 users typically a day.
“With more than 200 HGVs parking overnight at Coneygarth services on busy evenings, we recognised that many drivers were spending extended periods at the site with very limited access to fitness or wellbeing facilities during their rest period,” says managing director Rob Exelby.
“Rather than viewing the site purely as a place to refuel and rest, we’ve created an environment that actively supports customers, and staff wellbeing and quality of life,” he adds.
The business had wanted to replicate the feel of a modern commercial gym, rather than a “basic add-on amenity”. It features contemporary lighting, acoustic flooring, and premium equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, spin bikes, resistance machines, and free weights.
It cost nearing £200,000 to complete, split between Exelby Services and National Highways match funding.
Exelby is now applying for similar funding for the gym at its Golden Fleece site on J42 of the M6 at Carleton, Carlisle, which has recently been given planning for another 50-space truck parking area, gym and driver shower, welfare block. He hopes to break ground early next year and to have the Golden Fleece gym open in the third quarter.
While not in itself a big money-spinner, a gym is another reason for truck drivers to stop at a site, and it helps with staff retention, says Exelby.
He is already known for adding excitement to his sites with a former Red Arrow jet parked at Coneygarth, and a replica Formula 1 Ferrari hanging from the ceiling of the shop at his A19 North site.
After Golden Fleece, Exelby will potentially look at introducing a gym at his other bigger sites, which benefit from 100-plus truck drivers parked overnight. ”The Coneygarth gym is primarily for truck drivers, but Joe Public gives us an extra income, which is a nice bonus. It’s another industry innovation I can have a bit of fun with,” he says.
