By Deena Gillan, GM of 3-1-5 Health Club.

Last week, I had the honour of representing the UK’s Independent Gyms at a Number 10 Business Champions Roundtable, hosted by Andy MacNae MP and supported by ukactive. As the sole representative for all Independent Gyms across the UK, I was proud to be there on behalf of such a diverse and passionate sector.

In preparation for the event, I connected with a wide range of colleagues across our industry—from boutique studios with premium offerings to traditional back-street weights gyms, and of course, larger independent operators like 3-1-5. Each brings a unique contribution to the fabric of our sector, and I worked to ensure those voices were reflected in the conversation.

The roundtable brought together industry leaders to discuss not only the challenges we face in the leisure sector—rising costs, access to facilities, and the ongoing need for policy support—but also the incredible potential our industry holds in tackling the UK’s growing health crisis.

The timing couldn’t have been better. Just hours before our meeting, the Government released its new NHS 10-Year Health Plan, spotlighting prevention and early intervention—something our sector is uniquely positioned to support. This is especially critical in communities such as ours, where health inequalities are among the highest in the country, and where gyms and leisure centres play a vital role in community wellbeing and social connection.

Here at 3-1-5, our culture is built on care, expertise, professionalism, and purpose. We believe in positively changing lives through health, fitness, wellbeing and connection. We are proud to play our part in a sector that is more than just treadmills and dumbbells—it is a vital pillar of society, empowering people to move more, live longer, and thrive.

We’re also deeply passionate about building a healthier, more active community across Lancaster, Morecambe, and the surrounding Bay Area. Our aim is to continue to develop relationships and interlink further with local service providers, schools and colleges, businesses, GPs and hospital teams, we believe we can create a stronger, more connected, and happier community—where prevention is prioritised, movement is accessible, and wellbeing is a shared responsibility.