A new gym has been opened by Paul Scholes and two of his children based in central Oldham.
The former England and Manchester United player, and one-time Oldham Athletic manager, was at the opening of Scholes Gym on Tuesday (April 26), along with his son and daughter, who will operate the business.
Based on Lees Road, it occupies a 10,000 sq. ft area and boasts state-of-the-art equipment.
Speaking to The Oldham Times at the launch event, Scholes said: "We didn’t particularly plan for a 10,000 sq. ft building, it was something a little bit smaller but we’ve come across this building.
"It needed a lot of work doing to it but we’ve ended up opening a proper gym."
He said the decision to base the gym in Oldham was always the plan and is part of an effort to support the community.
Scholes said: "We could have easily done this in the centre of Manchester but we’re from Oldham, we wanted to put something back in the community.
"It was always something we wanted to do in our hometown and we’ve managed to come up with something that works."
The former midfielder said he would be "popping in now and again" as the gym will be run by his son Arron and daughter Alicia.
The two have been training to become qualified personal trainers and will operate the facility between them.
Scholes said: "I'm letting them get on with it.
"Arron is a really bright lad and he knows what he's doing."
Alicia, meanwhile, who plays netball for London Pulse, will be involved when she isn't with her club.
The gym contains everything from weights to weight and cardiovascular machines and even a reaction machine.
There is a projector on the wall to broadcast different sports and neon lighting in some areas.
Scholes said what made the gym unique was the machines, along with the decor and finishing touches which he said give it almost a "bar or nightclub-feel".
The gym is looking forward to welcoming people from the borough to exercise or even have a coffee or smoothie from the bar.
Scholes said: "Hopefully we can make a lot of people happy and they can come and exercise which is good for them and us."
A 12-month contract is £40 per month, or a rolling contract costs £45.
People can alternatively pay for classes-only membership at £25 per month or save with an upfront payment of £450 for a full year.
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