Bannatyne Fitness is on course to reach its target of 40 clubs nationwide within the next 18 months with the opening this month of its 36th site, in Hastings.

The £5m club is the company’s fourth on the south coast, joining existing clubs in Eastbourne, Folkestone and Broadstairs.

The Hastings site opened with 1,200 members already signed by but has the capacity for 3,500 people and boasts a 20m swimming pool, spa pool, steamroom and sauna as well as an 80-station gym and three studios.

The cardiovascular gym equipment has been supplied by Technogym under a recent £6m deal between the supplier and Bannatyne which will see Technogym re-equip all the fitness chain’s existing and forthcoming sites.

Nigel Armstrong, Bannatyne’s managing director, said: “The reaction to the new club has been fantastic.

Across the south coast and around the UK our clubs have established themselves as central to the local community through our dedication to meeting our members’ lifestyle goals through exercise.” Details: www.bannatyne.co.uk