TROWBRIDGE is now home to its first 24-hour gym after Anytime Fitness opened up its doors.

In the old HJ Knee department store on Fore Street, Anytime Fitness, which operates more than 3,000 clubs in 19 countries, features state-of-the-art art strength training and cardiovascular equipment.

Members have access to the gym 24 hours a day, 365 days a year thanks to a complex security and surveillance system which ensures their safety, even during unstaffed hours.

Amy Wetherill, club manager, said working at the gym has allowed her to come back to her roots after originally growing up in Bradford on Avon.

She added: “There is an independent 24-hour gym in Devizes but other than that I think we are the only one in west Wiltshire and being based in Trowbridge is brilliant because we have all the little villages and borough that come into the centre to use the gym.

“I think being open 24 hours is our selling point because in this area there is a lot of shift work so being open 24 hours means it doesn’t force people into going to the gym during specific times.

“All the equipment is state-of-the-art and many have screens where you can watch Freeview while you work out.”

The Trowbridge gym, which officially opened on Friday, also allows its members to use any Anytime Fitness premises worldwide at no extra cost.

Ben Palmer, group operations manager said he hopes the new fitness centre in Trowbridge will attract a whole host of gym-buffers.

He added: “Anytime Fitness clubs are pared down to the essentials necessary for a great workout, however where we don’t cut corners is in our personal service and commitment to our members. We are excited to be open in this iconic building in Trowbridge, and it’s our goal to become an active member of the community,”

The company added that noise abatement measures have been built into the design of the club, which is low impact and scaled down compared to other gyms, with no “loud bass beats” typically associated with most premises.

HJ Knee relocated from the Fore Street unit to Spitfire Retail Park after 130 years in the summer of 2014. Premier Furniture Warehouse filled one of the units, but the rest of the store has remained vacant ever since the controversial move.