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.”

Two of the most currently talked about women in the press were among the list of celebrity and VIP guests who attended an exclusive launch party at The Imagine Spa, Thames Valley at The Hilton Hotel, London, Heathrow, Terminal 5 on November 11^th 2011.

Lauren Pope and Lauren Goodger, two of the biggest stars from the phenomenally successful reality TV series, The Only Way is Essex were at the exclusive spa launch to celebrate the opening of the new Hilton Hotel and beautiful Imagine Spa. Other famous faces in attendance included Ex- Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, who showed off her growing baby bump, award winning journalist Vanessa Feltz and her partner Ben Ofoedu, model Nicola McClean and her husband, footballer, Tom Williams.

Throughout the evening VIP’s enjoyed a tour of the spa facilities, followed by a champagne reception with tasty canapés. The Imagine Spa therapists were on hand to pamper guests with a selection of mini treatments, including manicures and hand massages. Celebrity TV chef Cyrus Todiwala, patron of Mr Todiwala’s kitchen, the signature restaurant at The Hilton Hotel, and his team, served attendees a sumptuous array of Indian cuisine. Luxurious goody bags were provided by Babor, the leading organic skincare range used at the spa.

Imagine Spa Team at the Opening Night

As part of the launch party event, organised by Gorgeous Star PR, all guests stayed overnight at the 5 star hotel and were offered exclusive use of the spa facilities the following day, to really make the most of the experience.

Lauren Goodger quotes, ‘This break has been just what I needed, I have been feeling run down lately as my schedule has been very busy. I had a relaxing massage and facial during my stay, I have really enjoyed it and plan to come back again soon in a couple of weeks.’

Dave Courteen Director of Imagine Spa Management quotes, ‘It was a pleasure to welcome so many celebrities, press and VIPs to the new Imagine Spa, Thames Valley at the launch party. The event was a huge success and we were overwhelmed with the positive feedback we received from all of our guests. The new Hilton hotel and Imagine spa opened on August 31^st 2011, and as a company we are keen to spread the word about the fantastic facilities we have on offer, not only for guests travelling in and out of Heathrow, but  also that Imagine Spa, Thames Valley is the ideal destination for spa days and breaks for anyone looking for a truly first class spa experience.’

The spa offers a fantastic fire and ice experience with hammam table, serail mud chamber, and a stunning hydrotherapy bath. Guests can also enjoy a wonderful chill out relaxation zone which is surrounded by six wonderful treatment rooms.

The stunning hydrotherapy pool at Imagine Thames Valley

There is great excitement at Imagine Spa Management as we announce the following development which sees us become part of Mosaic Spa and Health Clubs Ltd. Here is a press release which announces the acquisition:

“The contract management business operated under the Fitness Express and Imagine Spa brands has secured significant investment to enable the business to acquire more sites. The backing has come from funds under the control of Downing Corporate Finance who have taken a 30% shareholding in the business which will now be operated under a newly formed holding company called Mosaic Spas and Health Clubs Ltd. The existing management team of Steve Taylor, Oliver Wright and Dave Courteen have slightly increased their share in the business too.

“Over the last 5 years we have grown our spa business and have numerous opportunities for further growth which requires us to inject some capital into the potential developments. We have spent the last year looking for partners to help us with funding. We like the approach Downing take to investing and believe they are the ideal partners to help us grow the business,” explains Dave Courteen, MD of Fitness Express.

The deal sees the exit of six shareholders who invested in the business when Taylor and Courteen, the original founders, reacquired it from Crown Sports in 2004. “It is great that this deal represents a good return in the current climate for the departing shareholders. They have provided us with loyal support over the last seven years but they felt it was time for them to get a return on their investment and allow us to get the new funding we needed,” Courteen added.

As well as securing more management contracts and joint ventures with hotel partners, the Mosaic business is also looking to acquire freehold sites to roll out the Fitness Express and Imagine Spa brand. Paul Beaumont of Downing, who becomes a Director of Mosaic as part of the deal, explains “Downing has a history of backing strong management teams and we are excited to be involved with this business. We have spent some time looking at the way they operate and have been attracted by the enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism of the people within the business. We are very confident that we can provide the financial support to take the business to the next level.”

Mosaic are close to announcing the first of its joint ventures with hotel partners in East Anglia.

The business, through its digital media team, has already created an interactive new website for the new business which  creatively tells the Mosaic story. A link to the new website is included below:“

www.mosaicspaandhealth.co.uk

Blue Sky Leisure in conjunction with Imagine Spa Management have begun work on the conversion of a 7 bedroom residential property in Blofield Heath into a day spa retreat for East Anglia.

The work is expected to take 18 weeks and the retreat will be open for business in early September – perfect timing for Mums to chill out and recover from the school holidays. Offering a range of individual treatments, half day and full day spa experiences the spa will operate under the Imagine brand so guests can be assured of the usual friendly welcome and great treatments alongside wonderful facilities.

The spa will offer a hydrotherapy pool, foot baths, ice fountain, rassoul, hammam table and dry float bed as part of a Fire and Ice Experience which will lead into some wonderful gardens and water features with decked relaxation areas and a sensory and ornimental garden. There will be 6 treatment rooms including one double treatment room too.

The therapists will be taken from the existing Imagine team whilst new staff are being recruited. The unique BABOR products which have proved so popular in other Imagine Spas will be used to create an exciting treatment menu and the spa is designing a series of specialist themed days including organic spa days and a “spa and food lovers” special which will include cookery demonstrations from local celebrity chefs as well as a range of spa treatments.

The Spa Retreat will be the first of it’s kind in East Anglia and is sure to attract a lot of interest with it’s Autumn opening. We will update you of it’s progress.

A team of Imagine Spa therapists have been busy over the past two days at the Professional Beauty Show held at the Excel centre in London’s Docklands. The therapists were part of a working spa built within the exhibition hall and provided treatments using the Haslauer and Spa Vision equipment. All bookings were made using the Gumnats booking system which is distributed through Spa Vision and is also used in all Imagine Spas. Delegates could pre-book their treatments online ahead of the Show – a real life demonstration of the effectiveness of the system.

Imagine provided ten therapists each day and they were fully booked throughout the exhibition providing a range of massages and facials with the usual Imagine Spa friendliness and enthusiasm. Neil Owen, MD of Spa Vision, said;

“The Imagine Spa girls were fantastic – they worked so hard and created such a positive impression with all the visitors to our stand. Their professionalism and commitment really helped us to demonstrate our innovative treatments in the best way possible”

The partnership at the leading Show for the spa industry is a further development in the working partnership between Spa Vision and Imagine Spa. Dave Courteen, MD of Imagine Spa Management commented;

“Spa Vision are key partners for us as they provide our spa booking system which underpins the way we run our 16 spas with central booking and reporting function. This is crucial in delivering the returns our hotel clients expect and is a core part of the service we provide at all the spas we operate for our clients. By working with them at the Show we were able to show the quality of therapists we can provide to any potential spa developers who were visiting the Show”

Imagine Spa Management have launched the latest Spa at the Copthorne Merry Hill Hotel in Dudley in the West Midlands. Imagine Spa’s sister company Fitness Express has been operating the health club at the hotel for the last 10 years and when the opportunity came to take on the treatment rooms within the Club, Imagine Spa were really keen to sieze the opportunity.

“We see great potential in being able to develop a spa offering to members and hotel guests alike,” explained Imagine Spa’s Regional Manager, Simone Booth, “with the proximity of the spa to the massive Merry Hill shopping centre we see a real opportunity to create shop till you drop spa experiences and there is the potential for great hen parties too”

Imagine Spa have refurbished and equipped all three treatment rooms and are now driving business through the micro website created purely for the spa. A team of friendly therapists have been employed reporting in to the existing Club Manager.

“We are really pleased to have an Imagine Spa at one of our Hotels. We have had a great working relationship with Fitness Express over 10 years and we are now keen to exploit any opportunities with Imagine Spa. We hope this will be the first of many spas in our Hotels,” said Tony Hill M&C’s Northern Regional Director.

Imagine Spa are pleased to report that planning permission for a Spa Retreat to be opened later this summer has been passed by Broadland District Council. The Spa Retreat, to be located in a former farmhouse at Blofield will be developed in conjunction with Imagine Spa’s existing client Blue Sky Leisure.

The Retreat will have the usual Imagine favourites such as wonderful treatments and really friendly staff but will focus more on the element of “escape” with guests encouraged to visit for a half day or full day spa experience. There will be speciality themed days which are now going into production and will include elements of organic food cooking and growing. The natural theme will be extended to the facilities as guests to the Retreat will enjoy Norfolk’s first commercial swimming pond – a natural outdoor swimming pond which is chemical free. The outdoor area will also include a sensory garden for guests to relax in as well as the usual Imagine facilities of aroma steam, herb sauna, mineral grotto, hammam table, rassoul, foot spas, hydrotherapy bath, ice fountain and feature showers.

Keep checking back here for updates – we promise this will be a unique and exciting development!

Last night saw the first member Open Evening for the brand new Imagine Spa at the Dower House Hotel in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Over 50 members attended what is the first of 3 members only evenings and loved the new spa and mini treatments they sampled. Many took up the opening offers to use the spa and the spa took over £1,000 in revenue on the day and took a further £1,000 in advance bookings in just 3 hours during the evening.

The initial reaction to the new Spa has been really encouraging and the spa is already ahead of it’s pre-opening budget. The £500,000 investment in the new facility, jointly provided by Imagine Spa Management and Ashdale Hotels who own the Dower House, has also seen an influx in new members with over 60 members signing up in the month before the refurbishments were complete.

Amanda Kendall, Head Therapist at the club, is excited at the way the Spa has started – “the new therapists and the members love the products and the treatments and I’m really confident that we will create a great reputation in the North Yorkshire area” she said

The Sienna Spa team at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel in Manchester are celebrating today after they were part of the team that won the prestigous “Best Large Hotel” in the North West Tourism Awards. The Sienna Spa is an integral part of the hotel which has regularly picked up accolades since it opened in 2004.

The award means that the Hotel is automatically put forward to represent the North West in the national awards organised by Visit England. Hotel General Manager Stephen Miles commented, “I am absolutely thrilled and very proud of the whole team of which the Sienna crew are a key part.”

Imagine Spa Management have operated the spa since the hotel opened and late last year added a hotel lobby “Finishing Touches” salon to the existing spa to help increase business and profit for the hotel.