Michelle proves that co-operation pays

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Business Co-operation - Ladies Only Gym
Rochdale Business Awards 2012

Michelle Matthews certainly proved that co-operation is the way forward when she walked away with the Business Co-operation Award for her business, Ladies Only Ltd which is centred round her St Mary’s Gate fitness centre and is based on a 30-minute circuit training programme for women.

According to the event organisers, the award recognises a business of any size that has makes a committed and pro-active contribution to their local community. This could be by providing a service that is vital to the community or donating the time and expertise of employees to give real, practical support to the neighbourhood in which they are based.

The criteria the judges were particularly interested in included, financial performance, vision and leadership, impact on business/sustainability and employee development.

When we spoke to Michelle, she was obviously highly delighted with her award. “I really am over the moon,” she told us. “This really was the right category for us and is so particularly important to us in this United Nations Year of Co-operation and with the re-opening of the Toad Lane museum.

“I am so proud of Rochdale and proud and pleased to be part of all the good things that are going on here. This event wakes you up to the fact that there is so much energy and so many great ideas in the town. It really does restore your faith in Rochdale.”

Michelle’s customers really respond to her professionalism and her friendly, hands-on way of doing business and her website is full of testimonials. One says,”I am always greeted with a smile. Names are known very quickly. Gives a personal approach. Staff keep an eye on you during exercise to make sure you are doing them correctly. Provides a nice environment to meet; especially for people living alone. Provides for a wide age range. Ideal for the disabled as all the exercises are personal. I have been a member of other gyms but nowhere do they look after you as well as at Ladies Only.”

Michelle’s interest and dedication extends way beyond the walls of her business and she has taken her message of fun and fitness into local schools and has also participated and many fun events in and around the town centre; often with the aid of her renown hula-hoops.”