Keeping pace despite the pandemic

Our Chelmsford Business Centre has recently gained a new customer — Fitness Fever! Having to close their doors almost overnight due to Coronavirus restrictions, they’ve managed to keep their business full of vitality. We spoke to owner, Lorna Cole about what her experience has been like throughout the pandemic and how she has settled in to Waterhouse Business Centre .

Origins of Fitness Fever

Before becoming a business owner herself, Lorna Cole was working in a ladies gym, where she discovered her love of exercise classes. After building up the confidence, she decided it was time to set out on her own — starting with teaching trampoline-based fitness classes.

“I couldn’t deny the buzz I got from running exercises classes,” says Lorna. “After completing the necessary courses, I was finally able to start up my own business, and I was shocked at how popular the classes became! As the business began to grow, it was necessary to find a place more suitable that could help the business succeed.”

Settling in at our Chelmsford location

Although Fitness Fever has only just begun their journey at Waterhouse Business Centre, Lorna is happier than ever with her decision.

“I’m really pleased with how it’s been so far. The entire management team – particularly Sharon – has been excellent! Everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming. As I was coming into the business centre alone, it could have been daunting for me, but all the team have been great. It’s such a friendly environment to be in.

“My previous location was small and hard to find and, as my company grew, the lack of room caused me to lose customers. I’m grateful that I was able to find somewhere that was more convenient for both me and my clients. It’s always clean and tidy, and the free parking is an added bonus!”

Adapting to COVID-19 restrictions

Like many other businesses in the UK, Fitness Fever had to close its doors almost overnight due to the impact of new Coronavirus restrictions. But that didn’t discourage Lorna, who decided she was going to make the best out of a bad situation…

“The Coronavirus outbreak was difficult for everyone, but I didn’t just want to sit around and do nothing. So, I decided to start doing online lessons on Facebook Live, where I would create fun exercise classes for our customers to get involved with or even provide people with personal training sessions.”

“It was really great that I was able to put my energy into something during lockdown — or even help people who were missing the gym, or just needed some time to relieve some stress! But I’m delighted to be returning to real-life classes. Nothing compares to the atmosphere and seeing my ladies smile at the end of a class.”

Business ambitions

With Fitness Fever growing faster than Lorna could ever have anticipated, we think big things could be in store for their future!

“Since coming out of lockdown, the business has blown up more than I could ever have expected; being stuck inside during lockdown has really made people want to get out and exercise again.

“From those first trampoline fitness classes, it’s just kept growing. I now offer boxing and weights classes, as well as a total body workout. I am hoping to expand this even further in the future, adding more people to the team, more variety to the classes and maybe even a bigger unit at the business centre to help more of our customers’ get moving!”

We’re very impressed with how our client has been able to overcome the new hurdles COVID-19 has brought to their business. We look forward to supporting her growth in the next year and beyond!

To find out how Capital Space could benefit your growing business,
call 0800 107 4667 or email info@capitalspace.co.uk

Share this page

Chelmsford
Located just a 10 minutes walk from Chelmsford Train Station, Waterhouse Business Centre offers self-contained office suites, studios to let, commercial workshop space and light industrial units, providing a broad range of high quality workspace with practical business support packages.

More case studies in Chelmsford

Reduced startup costs help first-time entrepreneurs take the leap
Gearing up to start your own business can be quite a challenge with the uncertainty of the potential success of your business hanging over your head. What if we told you that finding a workspace for your business to operate out of, that will help to alleviate some of these…
Power Cheer: celebrating 10 years in a business
We aim to cater for many businesses sectors at our Capital Space business centres, so when Power Cheer chose to expand their Chelmsford branch from within our Waterhouse Business Centre , we could not have been more thrilled. We spoke to Power Cheer’s founder Sydni Hall to hear about her business story,…
Our customer takes home the Best Italian Supplier award!
When you mix together the finest, authentic Italian ingredients, one unique business model and a generous drizzle of passion, what do you get? Well, Waterhouse Business Centre residents Just Italian Food have proven to be experts in combining the three into a recipe for success; having recently being…
Setting up a shop during the heart of a pandemic
If you were going to think of the best time to open a shop, you probably wouldn’t choose the middle of a global pandemic when all bar essential shops have been forced to close their doors to customers. But this is the exact situation our customer in Chelmsford have found themselves in and, despite the enormous number of obstacles in their way, they’re all set up and excited to welcome shoppers when they’re allowed. 
Back to School with Project Skills Solutions
When coronavirus struck, like many businesses Project Skills Solutions were thrown quite the learning curve with the urgent move online.
There’s nothing nutty about our client’s Covid success
Nutfreeliving Marketplace Ltd, a new customer at the Waterhouse Business Centre, is an inspiring example of a business that was able to thrive throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.