Local Banbridge gym, Apollo Fitness, sees investment of nearly £6,000 thanks to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council’s Covid-19 Revitalisation and Recovery Grant Scheme.
Led by ABC Council, in conjunction with the Department for Communities and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the grant scheme launched last summer and offered local businesses the opportunity to apply for financial assistance of up to £20,000 to address some of the operational challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Securing a grant award of around £6,000, Apollo Fitness owner Christopher Burns invested in a hand sanitising station, new laptop, an open fridge chiller as well as a range of new gym equipment including an assault bike, prowler sled, ski machine, slam ball set, battle ropes and hex dumb-bells.
Helping maintain social distancing and hygiene measures, the new additions to the Banbridge fitness centre will help ensure all gym goers remain safe, well and of course active.
Banbridge local and Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Alderman Glenn Barr commented:
“I’m delighted to see local leisure business Apollo Fitness get back to work safely, through the support and financial assistance of council’s Covid-19 Revitalisation and Recovery Grant Scheme.
“With the pandemic hitting the leisure sector particularly hard, many local gym and fitness providers have faced countless obstacles throughout the crisis. Through our grant scheme and other economic support measures, as a council we are committed to helping our local businesses deal with these challenges to not only survive but also thrive in the long term.”
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said:
“My Department introduced the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme to support the recovery of our towns and city centres post pandemic. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has received over £2.2 million through this programme. I am delighted to see that the grants are helping local businesses Covid safe. I hope this type of grant funding will support local businesses like Apollo Fitness in Banbridge and will encourage people to use these facilities and help to breathe life back into our towns and city centres by supporting our local businesses and ultimately help to keep our town and city centres safe, alive and prosperous.”
Based on Rathfriland Street, Apollo Fitness caters for everyone, providing male and female group training, kids fitness and personal training.
“The Covid-19 funding scheme has made a huge difference to my business!” commented Apollo Fitness owner, Christopher Burns.
He continued: “At Apollo Fitness, providing a safe environment for all our members is a top priority, and thanks to the grant scheme, we are able to continue doing that. Our new equipment enables reduced contact and sharing of equipment among clients, helping maintain a safe and Covid secure experience for everyone.”
Receiving 1,000 applications, the Covid-19 Revitalisation and Recovery Grant Scheme has invested over £1.1 million into local rural and urban businesses to date – awarding 125 grants to help fund projects and equipment to support safe trading and social distancing requirements.
