Merry Hill Expands with Community-Focused XF Gym as New Anchor Tenant

Merry Hill has welcomed XF Gym as a new anchor tenant, introducing a 40,000-square-foot fitness hub on its Upper Mall. Designed with community and wellness at its core, XF Gym offers an extensive athletic space, featuring high-quality equipment and a comprehensive range of fitness options, all at an accessible price. This experience-focused concept combines advanced workout zones, boutique-style classes, and wellness amenities, reflecting Merry Hill’s commitment to diversifying its tenant mix to meet local demand.

The gym’s layout includes both expansive, open-plan workout zones and dedicated studios for yoga, HIIT, cycling, boxing, and dance. XF Gym also provides a ladies-only workout area alongside wellness facilities that include a sauna, steam room, massage beds, and luxury changing rooms. This unique mix positions XF Gym as both a fitness destination and a community hub, catering to Merry Hill’s broad local catchment and drawing new foot traffic to the mall.

Located in a prominent anchor unit, XF Gym complements Merry Hill’s ongoing evolution into a multi-functional space that integrates retail, leisure, and wellness. As major retail centres increasingly turn to creative leasing solutions, the addition of XF Gym at Merry Hill highlights the centre’s forward-thinking approach, enhancing its appeal within the West Midlands as a leader in diverse shopping and lifestyle experiences.

Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros, spoke on behalf of Merry Hill, stating, “The launch of XF Gym is yet another example of how Merry Hill has evolved, taking its position as a focal point for the West Midlands to the next level. We remain committed to securing anchor tenants that respond to what the community needs, and XF Gym will provide residents and workers with a wellness-focused brand they can be proud of having in their locality. Hot on the heels of Harvey Norman’s launch, having XF Gym open means Merry Hill stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the leading destinations in the UK, adding nearly 100,000 sq ft of retail and leisure you can’t experience anywhere else in the country.”

Laurence Benson, CEO of XF Gym, added, “At XF Gym we have a singular goal of helping our members live better, so we’re thrilled to have opened our doors and to start delivering on this commitment. With its extensive local customer base, broad and high-quality tenant mix, and most importantly, its genuine dedication to creating a community-focused hub, Merry Hill aligns perfectly with our values, making it the ideal home for our debut studio.”

The opening of XF Gym follows the recent launch of Harvey Norman’s flagship UK store in Merry Hill’s north mall. This new 57,000-square-foot lifestyle and technology retailer, positioned directly below XF Gym, contributes to Merry Hill’s unique blend of retail and leisure offerings, enhancing the centre’s appeal as a versatile and community-centred destination in the region.