A pair of entrepreneurs have invested £500k to bring a 24-hour Midlands-based fitness franchise to the south east for the first time.

Sam Faulkes and Matt Grainger are the new owners of Foundry Gym in Sovereign Way, Tonbridge.

The business was prompted by Sam’s career in technology sales, where he was able to travel around the world and see a lot of gyms.

The 32-year-old said: “No matter where I went, it always felt like there was something missing.

“The key thing I always look for in a gym are the quality of the equipment, the quality of the environment, culture, the people and then the facilities -how good are they and how hygienic and clean are they.

“And it was always the case they’d get maximum two of those right but there would always be a third one missing.

“I thought - they’ve got great equipment, great people but you wouldn’t want to go in the shower.”

Then, after spending time in the Midlands during the pandemic, he visited a Foundry Gym and came across a bulletin board on the way out advertising the franchise.

He discovered the business was started by a guy and his dad who had built out the brand in the area, and decided to approach the owners with his vision for the gym in the south east.

The dad-of-two said: “It’s been a bit of a journey getting from where we are now because it’s taken the best part of three years to successfully get a unit.

“But it’s all worked out for the better because this is by far the best unit, the best location, the best opportunity and the best target market.”

Although Sam says there is quite a bit of stigma around putting gyms on industrial estates, he says the pair have had the backing of the agent and landlord, with “ample” parking available for gym-goers.

Despite the challenges of balancing a new business against demanding full-time jobs and young children, business partners Matt and Sam are excited to be providing a “serious gym where people can and will get serious results”.

The site includes “carefully selected” equipment, with a “tried and tested” model for the layout based on other successful franchises.

Referencing the vision for the gym, Sam said: “It’s really important to me that the members and the staff are really candid with their feedback because the whole purpose of this is that we’re going to be constantly reinvesting into it.

“Everything that your current gym has been lacking or that you feel like needs to change is what we have built this gym based on.

“This isn’t just another franchise opening that’s going to have its hands tied and can’t do anything.”

The gym is the 16th to open as part of the franchise and membership costs £39.99 a month with no contracts or joining fees.

But pair aren’t giving up their full-time jobs to start the business, instead they have a full-time gym manager and around eight to 10 staff members, having put more than £500k of investment into the project.

Talking of the future, Sam said: “The equipment is there, the facilities are there, now we just need to build the culture and environment for people.

“If there’s anyone that’s serious about their training and wants to go to a gym that’s constantly evolving, constantly listening to members feedback, constantly adding new pieces, then this is the gym – come and try it out.”