A THAI boxer is looking to bring something “different” to the town by launching a wellbeing centre.
Ellis McCarthy is taking over the basement at the Barrow Arcade site, on Claughton Street, in St Helens town centre.
A project is underway to transform the area into a wellbeing centre.
The facility will involve a Mauy Thai K1 private weights area, hot yoga and Ellis believes it will offer something “different” for the community.
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“I found the place and it is a bit bigger than what we had and I always wanted something bigger,” the former Cowley pupil told the Star.
“It will be good for people’s mental health.”
Thai boxing is something that runs in the family for Ellis, who has been involved in the sport since the age of six.
His mum and stepdad owned a gym, St Helens Thai Boxing, in Peasley Cross, and he then opened up his own gym on Merton Bank in 2022.
Ellis he is now excited to take the next step with his new premises in the town centre.
“It will be bigger and better and in a better place as well, being in the town centre, a lot of friends and family have been helping out,” he added.
The venue is to be called STH Wellbeing Centre, and it is expected it will be ready to launch later this year.
Ellis says the facility will cater for the whole community, and there will be ladies-only classes, junior classes, hot yoga, as well as the weights area.
“My main goal is to help people and it is something different for St Helens, especially the town centre,” added Ellis, from Thatto Heath.
“There are a lot of gym facilities but it is more for people’s mind and body. Thai boxing is good for the mind.”
It is expected the STH Wellbeing Centre will launch in around August this year.
The Star recently reported that plans to convert the former Barrow Arcade retail units above into apartments have been submitted.
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