Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells put on a brave face as she launched the new expansion of her boxing gym, Bronx Gym, just weeks after being targeted by thieves.
The entrepreneur, 29, won Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment last year and used the money to fund the expansion.
Marnie put on a leggy display in a shimmering gold mini dress, teamed with nude stilettos.
Of the expansion, Marnie says: ‘It’s fantastic to finally be able to complete the renovation, which has involved adding a whole new level to the gym to provide state of the art facilities to all the members and the community.
‘Lord Sugar has not just provided the investment, but he and his team have been on hand with advice and support all the way through and I can’t speak highly enough of the help he has given.
Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells put on a brave face as she launched the new expansion of her boxing gym, Bronx Gym, just weeks after being targeted by thieves
Marnie put on a leggy display in a shimmering gold mini dress, teamed with nude stilettos
The entrepreneur, 29, won Lord Sugar ‘s £250,000 investment last year and used the money to fund the expansion
‘We’ve added a fully equipped weight room, sauna, disabled-access facilities and a cafe – and I really hope this can become a valuable part of the community, and an opportunity for all to access boxing and fitness, along with the health benefits taking park gives.
She added: ‘I’m really excited to see the gym thriving, it fills me with so much happiness to see all the support, especially from The Apprentice crew. Here’s to the future for Bronx Gym and bigger and better things to come.’
Other talent in attendance, as Marnie unveiled the major overhaul after a year-long refurbishment, included winner of this year’s series of The Apprentice and fellow gym owner Rachel Woolford, as well as stars of the show Reece Donnelly, Stephanie Affleck, Flo Edwards, Tre Lowe, Virdi Mazaria and Phil Turner.
On supporting a fellow Apprentice winner, Rachel said: ‘It’s quite surreal actually. Because I’ve never actually met Marnie.
‘So it’s really nice to finally meet another winner. She’s the first one of the winners I’ve met. It’s really nice to come down and support the event. It’s been a pretty overwhelming week to be honest.’
It comes after Marnie revealed her ‘devastation’ after she was targeted by thieves who stole £3,000 worth of equipment from her new London gym.
Marnie told MailOnline the break-in happened last Wednesday – just a week before she celebrates an expansion at Bronx Boxing Club with a celebrity party, attended by the likes of David Haye.
Marnie was supported by her Apprentice pal Reece Donnelly, who looked stylish in an all-black ensemble
winner of this year’s series of The Apprentice and fellow gym owner Rachel Woolford looked chic in a black blazer
On supporting a fellow Apprentice winner, Rachel said: ‘It’s quite surreal actually. Because I’ve never actually met Marnie.’
She recalls the ‘heart sinking’ moment she discovered the gym equipment and computers had been stolen and having to tell Lord Sugar the bad news.
The former boxer fears she could have been targeted given the burglary happened hours before the latest Apprentice final aired on the BBC , where Rachel Woolford, who’s also a gym owner, was crowned winner.
After already being forced to postpone the launch of her new space, which includes a fitness studio, café, sauna and disabled access, on multiple occasions, Marnie explained the heartache of having to call the police and have forensic tests done, adding further stress to her workload.
Marnie told MailOnline: ‘When it rains, it pours. I was already under massive pressure because I hoped to open in January, which became February and March… we’re now in April.
‘I was already under immense tension to get this done and then last week we had a break-in. I had £3,000 worth of various equipment stolen… the moment I found out my heart sank.
‘We had to call the police, get forensic testing done… How do we get back on our feet after this? How can we still be ready for the launch? How can we ensure we keep this deadline that has already been pushed back? It was devastating.
‘I had to send an email at 7:30am to Lord Sugar… thankfully, he was so supportive. He emailed me saying, ‘I know there’s been a setback, but the gym is looking good and I wish you all the best with the launch.’ He’s very invested and not just in a financial way.’
Stephanie Affleck flashed her toned abs in a cropped denim jacket and matching jeans
MAFS UK star Peggy Rose donned quirky extreme ripped jeans and a denim jacket
Amy Christophers wowed in a pale pink satin jacket and matching trousers
Brad Johnson showed off his skills on a punch bag
Marnie was also supported by pal Mark Moseley
Bronx’s mantra is ‘Beyond Boxing’ – and Marnie wants to continue to expand the work in the inner-city community, as well as provide a 360-degree service to help talented boxers and users to develop and fulfill their full potential
Marnie says in the lead up to her expansion launch she has been working long days and committing herself to manual labour, ensuring everything will be ready for the big reveal.
And she hopes all her hard work will pay off as she hosts a guest list of stars on Wednesday evening.
She said: ‘When you go on the Apprentice there’s a perception you’re this businessperson in a suit but people don’t see the darker side where you carry on going, even when you really don’t feel like it.
‘I have been on my hands and knees chipping paint off the floors, cleaning, painting until the early hours just to ensure everything is ready and that’s the hidden bit.
‘Away from the lights and cameras and the glitz… I’m hoping all the blood, sweat and tears that’s gone in will make it a success.
‘We have all of our amazing members coming on Wednesday. From the boxing world we have Joe Joyce coming, David Haye, some people from the Misfits scene, Elle Broke, some up and coming pros, and then lots of people from the celebrity world.
‘A lot of people from the latest series of the Apprentice, including the winner, Rachel, are coming too.’
It comes after Marnie revealed her ‘devastation’ after she was targeted by thieves who stole £3,000 worth of equipment from her new London gym
She recalls the ‘heart sinking’ moment she discovered the gym equipment and computers had been stolen and having to tell Lord Sugar the bad news
Gym owner Rachel Woolford won Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment last week and was the fifth successive female to claim the prize
Lord Sugar will be absent from Marnie’s launch due to being overseas but has been trying to make up for it by seeing that heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua attends.
Marnie says that’s typical of Lord Sugar’s dedication, insisting he isn’t just about the numbers, and his commitment to the success of the business goes down to the finer details.
She said: ‘It has been amazing working with Lord Sugar. I have just received an email from him today wishing me the best of luck with the launch. He will not be in the UK on Wednesday.
‘He sent me good luck messages and he’s been trying really hard to get AJ down to the gym for the launch… There is a real personal investment with Lord Sugar, he loves to see young entrepreneurs following in the same footsteps and facing the same battles he has, there’s a real authenticity and genuineness to the partnership that doesn’t get enough attention. It’s not just the £250,000 investment…
‘I don’t think our revenue would make a very big dent in his life but the impact that he’s having on people is something he really values.’
