Rachel Woolford, winner of BBC’s The Apprentice 2024, has revealed plans for her first collaboration with Lord Alan Sugar, an extension of her North Studio fitness establishment in Leeds, designed to meet growing demand for Reformer Pilates.
Woolford, 28, secured a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar earlier this year when she defeated rival finalist Phil Turner, a pie shop owner, in the show’s final. It now aims to channel this funding into expanding North Studio’s existing setup by opening a dedicated Reformer Pilates facility next to its headquarters in Roundhay.
Lord Sugar’s investment covers both the acquisition of the commercial buildings and the capital needed for construction, as the new facility will add 120 classrooms per month to North Studio’s portfolio. “This initiative represents an important step forward not only for North Studio but also for our partnership,” said Al-Nazir. “It directly responds to the growing demand in the fitness sector for reformative Pilates exercises.”
North Studio, established by Woolford in 2020, offers a variety of small group fitness sessions and workshops led by experienced trainers, each tailored to individual needs and abilities. Along with its exercise offerings, the Roundhay location features a “Refuel Kitchen,” which serves coffee, fresh juices, smoothies and energy-boosting shakes.
“At North Studio, we focus on delivering personalized fitness experiences of the highest quality,” said Wolford, who studied economics and business administration before turning to fitness entrepreneurship. With Lord Sugar’s support, we are able to achieve our next phase of growth – launching a dedicated Reformer Pilates space while maintaining our boutique spirit. I’m excited to start this new chapter together.
The expanded site is currently being designed and prepared, and is expected to open in early February.
Jimmy Young
Jamie is an experienced business journalist and senior reporter at Business Matters, with over a decade of experience reporting on UK SME business. Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops to stay at the forefront of emerging trends. When Jamie is not reporting on the latest business developments, he is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs, sharing their wealth of knowledge to inspire the next generation of business leaders.