A major gym with about 3,000 members which was on the market for £3million, has been bought by a leading retail chain.

Roko Health Club in Gillingham has been acquired by Everlast Gyms, part of the Frasers Group which owns many brands, including Sports Direct, GAME, and Evans Cycles.

The company will be investing in state-of-the-art equipment and padel tennis courts are also being considered as the “Mexican tennis” craze continues to take the county by storm.

Everlast Gyms operates at nearly 60 locations across the UK and has also snapped up three other Roko sites in Nottingham, York and Chiswick,

Situated on a three-acre site in Will Adams Way, near the Bowaters Roundabout, it was put up for sale by its owners and shareholders last year.

It has two pools, gym, a beauty salon and spa room and offers a wide range of fitness classes.

Roko Gillingham is one of the most established fitness centres in Medway, opening about 20 years ago.

At the time of the sale announcement, Roko chairman Simon Lee wrote to members saying: “I believe that the sale represents a great opportunity for us to find new owners, who will put in the investment which I have been asked to make your experience at the club even better.

“In summary, I believe that this is really positive news for Roko, for members and staff.

Last October, the Frasers Group bought Maidstone’s Fremlins Walk shopping complex which had a £25million price tag.

Its major shareholder is millionaire entrepreneur and former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.