The first ladies’ gym to open in Workington is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week.

Energize, in John Street, was the brainchild of owner and director Tom Pooley.

The gym celebrated its 25th milestone yesterday after opening on August 13, 1990.

Mr Pooley, 67, who had his own joinery business for 18 years, bought and refurbished part of the building himself while his wife ran a hairdressing business in the premises.

He said his idea for the gym started with the early interest of sunbeds which grew from then on.

He added: "I knew there was a niche in the market for sunbeds and then a ladies only gym.

"I bought and done out the premises behind the hairdressers and only a few years after that we had to expand to cope with the huge amount of interest from local women.

"I had to end my joinery business because this was proving so successful.

"We went on to expand into two more neighbouring premises."

Over the years, Mr Pooley said thousands of women from across the region have been on Energize's books and they now welcome around 50 women a day through its doors.

Its facilities include a studio room, weights room, vibrogym, cardio and toning suite, sunbeds and an on-site beauty salon.

It was the first gym in the area to introduce computerised equipment, according to Mr Pooley.

He said: "One of our great successes has been our loyal customer base who love coming here because it's very much a family atmosphere.

"Some of them have been coming here from the day we opened.

"My team of five qualified staff have all been here long term and some have racked up over 20 years here.

"The high points over the years have been introducing new things, from equipment to facilities. We always try to offer what women want to use or achieve for themselves.

"It's been hard work and there have been tough times, but we got it right because I took a chance at the right time when the industry was just getting going for women."

Mr Pooley said he has retirement in mind in the future but is currently busy preparing the premises for a potential buyer, who he hopes will continue to run it as a ladies' gym.