Santa Barbara's Evolutions Medical Spa has announced it is expanding into an adjacent site formerly occupied by Avia Spa, which closed suddenly in July 2012.

When the new space opens in March the spa, rebranded as Evolutions Medical and Day Spa, will double in size to 6,000sq ft (557sq m) and will be used for services such as massage, facials and body treatments.

The existing spa, which is owned by cosmetic surgeon Dr Terry J. Perkins and only moved to its current premises in October, currently offers medical treatments for acne, wrinkles, sun damage, tattoo removal and hair removal.

Managing partner Brian Perkins said: "Though we were not planning to expand again so quickly, much less double our space, when Avia closed we felt we had to discuss the possibility."

Avia Spa founder Suzanne Seed, who sold the business in summer 2011, said she was happy Evolutions was employing many of her former staff who had been left jobless when the spa suddenly closed under new management.

According to local media a group of 20 employees had formed a group to recoup lost earnings from new owners Troy Medore and Spencer Cooper who had purchased the business from Seed.