A Flintshire-based women-only gym has moved to a new, larger venue after securing £50,000 in funding from the Development Bank of Wales.
Aspire to Inspire Fitness Ltd has received a micro loan from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund to support the relocation and full fit-out of new premises in Mold, enabling the business to grow its membership base, create jobs and improve accessibility for women across the region.
Founded in March 2020 by Kathryn Jones, Aspire to Inspire Fitness was established during the first Covid lockdown and has grown steadily into a community‑focused, female‑only fitness business. Kathryn brings more than 15 years’ experience in the fitness and leisure sector, with the business initially operating through mobile personal training before opening its first gym space in Buckley.
The investment has funded the renovation and full fit‑out of the new Mold premises, including fixtures and fittings, specialist flooring, electrical works and new gym equipment. The move has significantly increased capacity beyond the previous plateau, allowing Aspire to Inspire Fitness to grow from around 170 members to up to 300.
In addition to expanding the coaching team, the relocation has supported the introduction of new revenue streams, including a smoothie bar, while the ground‑floor space has improved accessibility and enabled the business to support more members with additional needs and disabilities.
The expansion follows a period of resilience for both the business and its founder. Kathryn lives with functional neurological disorder, also known as FND, which can cause tremors and seizures. Following spinal treatment for FND, Kathryn continued to lead Aspire to Inspire Fitness through recovery, employing staff and sustaining the business during her rehabilitation. The experience has since shaped the gym’s inclusive ethos and focus on creating a safe, supportive space for women of all backgrounds.
Kathryn Jones, founder of Aspire to Inspire Fitness Ltd, said: “Starting Aspire to Inspire Fitness during lockdown was a leap of faith, but it came from a genuine desire to create a safe, supportive space where women could build confidence as well as strength. Since then, the business has grown organically, but we’d reached the point where our ambition and our community had outgrown the space we were in.
“This move to Mold has given us the opportunity to do things properly. The support from the Development Bank of Wales has been instrumental in helping turn our plans into reality, and I’m excited to see how Aspire to Inspire continues to grow.”
Malcolm Green, Portfolio Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Aspire to Inspire Fitness is a strong example of a Welsh business that has combined clear purpose with sustainable growth ambitions. Kathryn has built a loyal community around an inclusive, women‑only offer, and this investment has allowed the business to scale in a way that supports both commercial resilience and positive social impact.
“By backing the relocation and fit‑out of the new premises, we’ve helped Aspire to Inspire remove existing constraints, improve accessibility and create the conditions for long‑term growth, new jobs and diversified income streams. We’re pleased to support the business as it enters this next phase.”
The £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund supports Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available from £25,000 to £10 million.
