Visitor numbers are up 40pc since gym opened

Visitor numbers have soared by more than 40 per cent at a £6.5 million sports centre in Staffordshire since the opening of a new fitness suite.

More than 1,000 new members have signed up for the gym at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre within weeks of its launch.

At the same time visitor numbers across the facility for the first three months of the year are 5,000 up on the same period last year.

Business is expected to rise still further when a new 25 metre swimming pool with a 200-seat spectator gallery, changing facilities and dance studio open in the summer.

The 150-station fitness centre opened in February, helping to boost the number of customers to more than 17,000 between January and March. Total membership of the new gym is now 1,600.

Leisure chiefs put the huge hike in numbers down to the gym and the popularity of post-Christmas fitness classes such as zumba, kettle belly and body combat.

Tony McGovern, the council's corporate director, said: "One of the council's priorities is to increase participation in physical activity, and modern, high-quality facilities play an important part.

"I'm delighted that the new fitness centre is proving such a hit with people and very much look forward to working with our new partner to see further improvements over the next few years."

The contractors, GF Tomlinson's Ltd, moved on to the site on April 26 last year and the centre was completely closed for two days in June while the foundations of the new roof were put into place.

The new pool will have a moveable floor which will enable it to be split into two for teaching. The anticipated completion date of July 20 will link in with the Olympic opening ceremony.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust took over control of the building from the council on Sunday along with all other leisure centres, museums and theatres in the district, bringing more than £2 million of extra investment, some of which funded the hi-tch gym equipment.

The trust's chief executive Stuart Murray said: "This is a fantastic start to the contract."