Leeds-based gym chain Xercise4Less has led a £1m refurbishment of its flagship club after the site was devastated by floods.

The low cost operator’s Xercise4Less Leeds site was swamped with more than 4ft of water on Boxing Day 2015, as floods ravaged the north of England. Around £1m in damage has had to be repaired in the past two months and the club will enjoy a star-studded relaunch this weekend, with twelve rugby players from Yorkshire Carnegie due to attend.

“Like many businesses in the area, the effects of the floods have been catastrophic. The water prevented 12,000 members from accessing the gym over the festive season,” said Xercise4Less CEO and former rugby player Jon Wright.

“At the time of the flood we were inundated with offers from the local community looking to give us a helping hand. Unfortunately, health and safety wouldn’t let us enlist our own recruits, so we wanted to use this refurbishment as a chance to celebrate getting back onto our feet and thank all the wonderful people who showed us so much support and kindness.”

Yorkshire Carnegie forward and 2015 Sports Personality of the Year runner-up Kevin Sinfield will be cutting the ribbon to open the new facilities.

“After seeing how much damage the flooding has caused, it’s an honour to be involved in something so positive,” said Sinfield.

“Gyms aren’t just places to work out anymore, they’re communities – so it’s great to know that the local area has their space back!”