A DEAL to sell a Hartlepool health club has been agreed – with the new owners promising more than £1.5m of investment into a refurbishment of the gym.

Springs, at Hartlepool Marina, will be bought by Lifestyle Fitness with the finishing touches to the deal expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Bosses of the firm taking over the site have reassured members that nothing will change in the short term and have promised to start a complete revamp of the gym including all new equipment by the end of this year.

However, the future of the swimming and beauty and spa facilities is “open for discussion” while the closure of the health club’s restaurant was described as “very likely” which could result in a small number of job losses.

A sign was said to be on display in the health club’s restaurant last week saying it will stop trading at the end of this month.

Gordon Hall, managing director of Lifestyle Fitness, said: “From a members perspective we are going to invest upwards of £1.5m in the facilities on a complete refurbishment of the gym.

“The gym will be much bigger and better with new equipment which is the best of the best.

“In the short term it’s going to be very much business as usual for members, they won’t see a lot of difference.

“We plan to start the refurbishment before the end of this year, we will get all of the new equipment in as soon as possible.”

Lifestyle Fitness bought the Springs site in South Shields earlier this year and Mr Hall said the redevelopment there is very similar to what they have planned in Hartlepool.

He added: “The redevelopment in South Shields is going very well, I see the plans for Hartlepool working very much the same.

“Like I said, in the short term members will not see a lot of difference, nothing will change for them and it will be as it has been, it will be very much business as usual.

“But over a period of time it will be very enhanced with investment in the building.”

It remains to be seen whether that investment will include the health club keeping the swimming pool, steam room, spa pool and beauty facilities.

“That is still open for discussion,” added Mr Hall.

He revealed that membership for the new gym will be £17.99 a month – cheaper than the rates the health club currently offers.