Health club operator Fitness First has announced the acquisition of the Australia-based Space Health Clubs group.

Fitness First will rebrand the three clubs in the chain and take over the operation of one club in Chatswood, New South Wales and two clubs in Richmond and Melbourne in Victoria.

The company now operates 45 clubs throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

Tony de Leede, managing director of Fitness First Australia, said: “The acquisition of the Chatswood location is especially exciting for us because it serves a much needed area and provides added flexibility for our existing members in Sydney’s North Shore region.

“Our key focus now is to ensure the changeover is a seamless integration for the existing members and staff, with as little disruption as possible.”

Space members will be given a Fitness First membership with no change to their fees and many will be provided with a ‘passport’ enabling access to more than 450 Fitness First clubs worldwide.