TWO brothers who own BodyTech in Bradford on Avon have said that without the help of the community and their members, the gym's relaunch would not have been the success it was.

Jon Harvey, 45 and his brother Richard, 43, who have owned the gym on the Elms Cross Business Centre for the past six years, unveiled their new premises, which has doubled in size, at the start of the month.

Mr Harvey said: “We couldn’t come on the open day because of a family tragedy. We had the bad news the night before, on the Friday, but it just showed what our members are like.

“People came down and took over – it just shows what the community is like. They dropped what they were doing to help us and we are very grateful.”

The siblings originally started the fitness venture in Trowbridge before moving to Bradford and opening a kickboxing gym.

After a surge in demand the pair decided to expand their services.

“Originally we wanted to create somewhere impressive that my mum and dad could go to,” Mr Harvey said.

“We have set it out so it is not intimidating.

“We had a gym in Trowbridge and we had the same ethos: wanting to do something different in an approachable and comfortable place.”

The extra space means the business has gone from strength-to-strength and it now offers an array of cardiovascular equipment and a new area for free weights, and strength and conditioning training.

Deputy mayor Laurie Brown cut the ribbon at the relaunch, celebrating the opening of the new unit the pair have waited four years to get their hands on.

“The response to the new space has been absolutely brilliant and everyone said it has the wow factor,” Mr Harvey added.

BodyTech Gym is open seven days a week, 5am-9pm. For more information visit www.bodytechgym.com