Europe's leading health, fitness, and leisure group, David Lloyd Leisure, has announced that work has begun on their anticipated Edinburgh Shawfair development, with the club due to open in summer 2023.

Located in the new residential development area of Shawfair, Midlothian, which lies to the southeast of Edinburgh, the club will offer world-class health, fitness, racquets and spa facilities. David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair is anticipated to become a popular leisure destination for families as well as health and wellness enthusiasts in surrounding areas.

David Lloyd Leisure expects that the new club will generate up to 75 jobs, and the group said that it will explore opportunities to develop local community partnerships over the coming months. The development was granted planning approval in April 2021 following extensive consultation with the local community in 2020.

At the time of its planning approval, Midlothian Council officers said that "the proposal aligns with the masterplan principles for Shawfair to encourage sustainable, healthy lifestyles within a vibrant community".

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Construction began in October 2022, and the development phase is expected to generate more than £4 million for local subcontractors and companies and involve 50-60 construction jobs.

The centrepiece of the club will be the 100+ station gym, which will house David Lloyd Clubs' cutting-edge gym concept with an unrivalled array of best-in-class equipment. There will be three group exercise studios; a hi-tech indoor cycling studio, high impact studio and a Mind & Body studio.

There is also a Clubroom café bar with a family zone, an indoor soft play area for the younger ones, and a business hub. An outdoor patio area will offer a space for outdoor dining and drinking on warmer days and evenings.

Michelle Chambers-Cran, Regional Manager at David Lloyd Leisure, said: "We are excited to be starting work on David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair and to be one step closer to bringing this new family-friendly leisure destination to life next summer.

"We know that people of all generations will relish what the club has to offer, from the state-of-the-art gym, racquet and spa facilities to the clubroom and children's activities.

"Our philosophy is to create incredible health and wellness spaces where family and friends can spend quality time together.

"We look forward to engaging with the local community as the development takes shape over the coming months and would encourage those who want to follow our progress to register on the website for updates."

The club will have a 250-space carpark and is well-connected to Edinburgh and surrounding towns in Midlothian and East Lothian by nearby bus, rail and cycle links.