JD Sports is to open a string of low cost health clubs as it eyes significant market share in the fitness sector.

JD has acquired its first site – a £1m Fitness First gym in Hull which will open next month – as it aims to build a national chain of gyms, The Business Desk reported.

Alun Peacock, previously national operations manager of JJB Fitness Clubs and then DW Sports Fitness, has been appointed by JD lead the new venture.

Peacock said: “We also have a couple of other sites under offer in other big cities but those are deals we are working on at the moment.”

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