PureGym is to continue its expansion after the failed merger with The Gym Group by opening yet another new club in Manchester by the end of the year.

The latest gym – located in Exchange Quay – will be the chain’s sixth in Manchester. The city has become a hotbed of operator activity as of late, with Pure Gym’s new site coming just weeks after Nuffield Health took over the former Virgin Active club at Manchester Printworks and announced a strategic partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to improve health in the North West of England.

Pure Gym founder and CEO Peter Roberts last month announced the chain would open a further 20 sites by the end of 2014, through a combination of consolidating in areas where the company is already strong, as well as expanding its footprint in less-developed markets. The chain’s latest Manchester launch follows its existing sites in the city on Bury New Road, Debdale, Moston, Urban Exchange and Spinningfields, providing a total membership base of 29,912.

“With the continuing demand for affordable gym membership with no fixed contract in Manchester, PureGym continues its expansion in the city,” said Roberts.

“We are constantly on the lookout for new sites to answer the growing demand from our customers.”