A gym which closed down during the pandemic and then was reopened by new owners for an undisclosed sum has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Waterfront Leisure at Gillingham Marina has been nominated in the Newcomer of the Year category in the National Fitness Awards.

A member of the competition team will now visit the members-only health club in Pier Road to talk to staff and see the facilities first-hand before reporting back to a panel of judges,

The winners will be announced at a glitzy ceremony in Leicester hosted by Kim Betts, aka Lightning from Gladiators.

National Fitness Awards’ event director, Dominic Musgrave, said: “The awards are now in their 12th year and with entries than ever before, our finalists have reason to celebrate too as it’s a huge achievement to have made the shortlist and is a testament to the teams behind each.”

The complex includes a swimming pool, gym, squash and badminton courts, and a spin and dance room. The fully-equipped cardio and resistance room is on the upper floor of the three-storey building and looks out onto panoramic views of the River Medway and marina. A full range of fitness classes are available and there is a bar and restaurant.

The centre announced it was closing due to the financial strains of the pandemic.

But about a year ago it was taken over by business couple Gary and Rita Beckwith.

A “six-figure sum” was spent on refurbishing the building which is more than 20 years old.