IMAGINE SPA MANAGEMENT

Welti Health and Fitness, a large health club and tennis centre in Shrewsbury, has obtained new ownership, being bought out of administration by health club management group, Mosaic Spa and Health Clubs.  The Welti is a popular local club with over 2,500 members and offers a large gym with 2 seperate exercise studios, a kinesis zone, boxing ring and large free weight area. The club also offers a swimming pool with a sauna and steam room, a day nursery and 6 indoor tennis courts and 8 outdoor courts. The Club possesses one of the most successful elite junior tennis programmes in the UK.

With over 25 years experience, the Mosaic group is an established operator of health clubs with a portfolio of over 28 clubs around the UK and the intention is to bring the philosophy of running friendly health clubs that are fun to belong to, with highly trained staff to help members achieve their individual goals to the Welti. The focus is always on operating health clubs that are for local people and bring communities together.

Mosaic plan to rename the business The Shrewsbury Club, to mark the positive changes they plan to bring to the club, and as a reminder that this will very much be a club for local people at the very heart of Shrewsbury. The club is also firmly family orientated, with an onsite nursery, and encourages families to keep fit together. Investment will be injected into the business over time to improve and upgrade the existing excellent facilities.

Mosaic Managing Director, Dave Courteen, said

“We are really excited to be involved in this new project. We recognize that the Welti Club has come a long way since it opened, but we very much hope to take the business to the next level. The heart of our strategy will be to develop the business as a local club to be used and enjoyed by local people primarily for the residents of Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas of Shropshire. We look forward to working with the existing team and hope to add to this in the near future by recruiting locally. We are also committed to working with local suppliers.”

Despite the transitional period it will be business as usual, and The Shrewsbury Club will be ready for the busiest time of the year in January. Mosaic look forward to looking after existing health club members, and also hope to introduce new people to the club who are looking to keep fit in 2012.

A new £1.5m luxury day spa retreat has opened in Norfolk, representing further expansion for Norwich-based Imagine Spa Management which already operates 7 spas in East Anglia and 17 across the UK

The new venture will create 14 jobs at the spa, which is located six miles east of Norwich at Blofield Heath and just nine miles from the company’s headquarters.

Officially opened  on Monday 5 December by Anglia TV newsreader Becky Jago, the spa is set in a former seven bedroom farmhouse which has been converted by Imagine Spa Management in conjunction with Norfolk’s Blue Sky Leisure group which owns Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Woodhill Park and the Zaks restaurants in Norwich and Poringland.

Having toured the spa, Becky said:  “I love to treat myself to some indulgent pampering and it’s fantastic to have discovered somewhere so close to the city. It’s quick and easy to get to but still provides a real feel of escapism. With such a picturesque setting and an amazing array of facilities and treatments it makes you want to stay for a week, let alone a day.”

Even the professionals have their favourite plce to read the news - Becky Jago, Anglia TV newsreader at the opening of the Imagine Spa Blofield Heath

She added: “Juggling being a mum with a career means I’m always busy. When I have time to myself I want to make the most of it. I was especially excited to hear more about Imagine Spa’s ethos of time rather than treatments. I think it’s a fantastic idea that I can book time at the spa but decide on the day if I want to relax and unwind after a hectic week or be reenergised. The therapists tailor my treatments and create the spa experience I need.”

At the VIP event, the spa’s team of experienced therapists demonstrated some of the treatments available including the wellness spa bed which offers a floating experience and relaxing warmth, the serial mud chamber designed to cleanse the skin and accelerate toxin removal and the oriental heated Hammam table used for a variety of treatments including exfoliation and body wraps.

The luxurious spa features beautifully appointed treatment rooms and the exclusive Imagine Spa thermal suite comprising a mineral grotto, aroma steam room, ice fountain, feature shower and centre piece hydrotherapy pool. The thermal suite is situated at the heart of the spa and its ceiling-to-floor windows provide a picturesque view out on to the natural pond and gardens.

The Kitchen at the Spa has proved popular with spa guests already

A range of unique packages are also being developed to further extend the spa’s offer to guests.  These include a series of specialist themed days such as a ‘spa and food lovers’ special which will consist of cookery demonstrations from local celebrity chefs in the spa’s theatre-style open kitchen, and workshops designed to build women’s confidence and style in collaboration with Suffolk based Dream On which offers personal advice and self-help for women.

Paul Timewell, CEO of Blue Sky Leisure and Dave Courteen of Imagine Spa Management at the opening of the Imagine Spa at Blofield Heath near Norwich

Dave Courteen, Managing Director of Imagine Spa Management, said: “We are delighted that by working with Blue Sky Leisure we’ve had the opportunity to continue to invest in our home county of Norfolk and to expand our portfolio. We have created a true luxury day retreat with extensive spa facilities, exclusive treatments and experienced therapists. Guests are encouraged to visit for a half or full day to really enjoy a full spa experience.”