Gymfinity Kids, the UK’s first and only provider of clubs and nurseries has raised over £5m to support the next stage of its expansion. Investors include existing management as well as third party investment.

The business was founded in 2017 by Peter Roberts, founder of PureGym, to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of children. The Gymfinity Kids’ proposition for children of all ages incorporates movement, nourishment and development through gymnastics and ninja classes and offers nurseries in some sites giving children daily access to these activities. It has a disruptive membership proposition built around flexibility and accessibility with the clubs open 52 weeks a year and available with a monthly subscription. The unique format has proved popular with children and parents with membership across the clubs at an all-time-high. 

With a proven model and increasing popularity the business has raised capital to fund the next stage of its expansion. In the short term the business is looking to open further sites in the next 12 months and is reviewing options for international franchising. The management team’s longer term plans are to more than triple the estate over the next 3 years.

Founder and non-executive chairman Peter Roberts said: “We founded Gymfinity Kids with a distinctive offering, proposition and facilities in an industry that, like the gym sector 15 years ago, is not very consumer friendly. I am delighted with our progress, particularly given the challenges presented by the global pandemic. Children’s mental and physical wellbeing has never been more important and is the driver behind our purpose of laying the foundations for a happier, healthier nation. The investor interest we received reflects the quality of the team we have assembled, the business we have built and opportunity we see.”

Managing director Jacques De Bruin commented: “The business has made good progress in a challenging five years with lengthy closures due to Covid. We have, over that period, expanded conservatively whilst refining our distinctive proposition and focussed on the families we welcome daily into our clubs and nurseries. We know how important being active is and have worked hard to make Gymfinity Kids a really fun and exciting place for children’s development. The reaction from  parents and children confirms that we are on the right track. We have had a fantastic response to our recently launched trial programme which allows children to take a taster session for free and resulted in over 10k new children moving and having fun in our clubs. In Addition to our Parent Partnership Scheme in our nurseries where we share the cost of child care for new parents returning to work, saving them up to £4200.

“We are delighted to have raised over £5m in a challenging fund raising climate. Our exciting growth plans in the short and medium term will see Gymfinity Kids establish a significant footprint in the UK and potentially an international presence and that is where our focus now lies.”