New Bannatyne’s Spa Defies Recession

Defying the credit crunch in Edinburgh, The Bannatyne Group has officially opened the doors to a new health and wellbeing spa in Edinburgh. Based at the company’s Queen Street Health Club, the new spa offers a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments, including complimentary therapies and specialist massage, plus beauty treatments such as waxing, nail care and make up.

Facilities at the spa include two treatment rooms, a dual treatment room ideal for couples, friends or family to experience a treatment simultaneously, a spray tan room and innovative relaxation room complete with heated tiled loungers.

The new spa was officially opened by Chairman of the Bannatyne Group, Duncan Bannatyne and marks a milestone for the company, as the thirty first Bannatyne Spa to be opened in the UK.

The opening of the new spa has created jobs for six trained therapists and forms part of £16 million pounds of investment to be made by the Bannatyne Group in the last eight months.

This has included a £2.5 million hotel and spa development in Hastings, a new £500,000 spa and extension to the company’s flagship health club in Darlington and a new hair & nail salon at the Dunfermline spa.

Guests at the opening were very impressed by the new facilities which have transformed the basement premises of the health club.

Duncan Bannatyne said, “The new spa forms part of the company’s increasing focus on offering the complete experience of fitness, wellbeing, personal beauty and relaxation. In line with all my existing health clubs and spas, the spa will provide a high quality service and experience for every visitor, offering the latest treatments and using leading luxury product ranges.

“We are operating in a competitive market place, but health and wellbeing remain top of the agenda for many people and our spas and health clubs continue to trade well.”

With memberships of health clubs growing by 2%, and members taking advantage of more facilities more often, the increase in spa users is an encouraging 15%.

A regular user of his fitness rooms and spa facilities, Duncan told Lothian Life, “My problem is that I eat out too often, so I’ve got to train just to stay normal. I use a gym at least 3 times a week then do everything in the spa, facials, manicure, everything. People who look after themselves look after their looks as well so this is a perfect accompaniment.”

“The big thing is to get more men in. The high percentage of women members  at this location is due to the high number of women who work in central Edinburgh. But with our dual rooms, husbands and wives can enjoy sessions together.”

“It’s a great time to expand,” says the Dragon’s Den supremo, taking his own advice, “if you can get money from the banks. In fact a lot of people now have more money in their pockets with mortgage interest rates so low.”

Future plans includes more spas at health clubs in Norwich and Durham.