Former Commonwealth Games Taekwondo bronze medallist and Ninja Warrior UK finalist Henry Cookey has secured £50,000 from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by the consortium as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
The funding has supported Henry to relocate his fitness business, HC:Fit, to a larger site in Bootle, in a move that has more than doubled his opening hours and allowed him to employ an apprentice to assist with digital marketing and social media. Two additional part-time personal trainers are also planned as the business continues to grow.
Henry founded HC:Fit in 2016 on the back of his Ninja Warrior UK success, building a purpose-designed obstacle course with over 40 challenges including warped walls, a climbing rig, salmon ladder and cargo net, alongside personal training, calisthenics and children’s fitness classes at his former Birchall Street premises.
A five-time British Taekwondo Champion, 2014 Comm Games bronze medallist and 2023 ITF World Champion, Henry has built a loyal following over more than 16 years in the fitness industry.
With demand for his ninja and fitness programmes outgrowing his previous site, Henry has moved into a new 5,000 sq ft home on Glendower Street, a facility with ground-floor space and parking that has let him extend opening hours from five to nine hours a day.
The NPIF II funding, alongside Henry’s own investment, is being used to fund a new ninja rig, upgraded facilities, rebranding and a launch marketing campaign, with a target of growing membership by up to 50%.
This latest investment builds on a near-decade-long relationship between Henry and River Capital, which began with a Start Up Loan to help him launch the gym in 2016, followed by further support in 2023 to expand his marketing and digital presence.
Henry Cookey, founder of HC:Fit, said:
“This move has been a long time coming. I’ve put everything into building HC:Fit from the ground up, and the old unit was starting to hold us back. The stairs, the parking, the space.
The new site means I can finally open the doors for longer, take on more members and give people the facilities they deserve. River Capital has backed me from day one and having that support again for this next step means a lot.”
Sue Chambers Senior Investment Manager at River Capital said:
“Henry has honoured every agreement across nearly ten years working with us, and it’s been great to watch HC:Fit grow. This loan gives him the platform to take the business to the next level — he’s built a loyal following and a business with real growth potential, and we’re pleased to back him for this next chapter.”
Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank said:
“Supporting businesses as they move into their next phase of growth is exactly how the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II strengthens the northern economy. We’re backing businesses like HC:Fit, ensuring they have the capital needed to broaden their offering, create new employment opportunities and ultimately drive regional economic growth and opportunity.”
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.