Gym+Coffee welcomes One Direction backer

Irish-based athleisure brand Gym+Coffee has announced that One Direction’s Niall Horan has become an investor in the group.

As a shareholder, Horan aims to support the business while raising the profile of the brand internationally.

Founded in 2017, Gym+Coffee expanded its store portfolio in 2020 with the opening of a Westfield London site.

Coffee+Gym also intends to launch seven ‘clubhouse’ concept stores in 2021, of which one has already commenced trading at the Manchester Trafford Centre.

Niall Horgan, CEO at the retailer, said: “Over the last 10 years Niall has represented Ireland with optimism, inclusivity, energy and positivity on a global stage and has become a household name across the world. 

“He is what we aspire to become as a business. We hope that with his guidance and direction Gym+Coffee can emulate some of the success he’s had and proudly represent Ireland internationally.”

Horan follows in the path of Brian O’Driscoll, Irish rugby’s household name, in becoming an investor in Gym+Coffee.

Horan said that he is a fan of the group “as a brand and a business”, especially its goal to “make life richer”.

He added: “I visited the first UK store in Westfield last year and hooked up with some of the founders. I was struck at how a young brand from Ireland was starting to make an impact on the international market. 

“I realised there were some good synergies between us, and the relationship took off from there, ending with me investing into the company and becoming part of the team.”