Entrepreneur Mo Chaudry, who owns the Water World theme park in Stoke-on-Trent, has acquired the former Esporta Health Club on Festival Heights, Stoke.

Chaudry, who has been a member at the club for 11 years, said he had already been planning to start his own fitness business when told that the club was destined for closure.

"I was extremely disappointed when the news broke of the closure," he said.

"I had been exploring opportunities to develop my own health and fitness business for a while and my plans were well advanced but the prospect of owning and operating a club that I personally have many connections to seemed a natural business opportunity."

Chaudry intends to keep the current 30-strong staff and 10 freelance personnel in employment.

He added that he plans to keep the existing range of facilities at the 35,000sq ft club - which include a spa, creche and dining facilities - but plans to add new services to create an "up-market, high-class facility" that will appeal to the discerning health club member.

"I will be making a significant investment in the club to create a prestigious facility that offers the best fitness equipment, personal lifestyle service and family social environment in Staffordshire," he said.

"I am 100 per cent committed to developing the best health and fitness club in the area."

The redeveloped and rebranded club is expected to open during September 2011.