A FLINTSHIRE mum has finally realised her dream of opening a women's gym after a battle to get council approval.
Kat Jones, 37, was forced to launch a petition calling on the support of the public in her quest to get the green light from Flintshire Council for a change of use of a building in Buckley.
It received 1,500 signatures as the community rallied in support of Kat - whose business is named Aspire to Inspire Fitness.
After months of toing and froing, Kat sought the help of a planning agent to get the situation resolved. And she has now been given the planning approval she needs to open the gym's doors to the public.
On Friday, local councillors and MP, Mark Tami, attended the official opening of the gym - situated in Buckley town centre.
Buckley town councillor, Carolyn Preece, had the honour of cutting the ribbon.
She said: "It's a fantastic new business for Buckley and on behalf of Buckley Business Forum I'd like to open it.
"I'd like everyone to support it."
She already has dozens of members, and numerous classes booked in her fitness suite.
Kat's journey to opening the gym has been 18 months in the making.
She initially crowdfunded, but then Covid hit. During the pandemic decided to go mobile and train clients outdoors to help stump up the funds she needed to start work on the gym.
She also took a job at Tesco to stump up more funds.
Kat said: "The transition to get the gym open was very challenging after so much planning and time was put in to get it all right.
"The unit's had been empty for five years and I felt that it would be something that would benefit Buckley.
"The team behind Aspire to Inspire Fitness is the wonderful Emma Murphy who has taken care of all admin/ enquiries and Ellie Simpson who is the co owner of the gym who is currently in Liverpool uni studying adult nursing.
"The gym isn’t just about getting fit and healthy, it’s about have a comfortable environment a friendly environment and with poor mental health cases increasing I want it to be a place that people can go to help boost that overall mood."
The gym will be open Monday to Friday 8am until 8pm, and on Saturday between 10am and 2pm - there will be a great variety of classes come January, with plenty of personal trainers on board.
Kat added: "I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who helped make this happen."
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