David Lloyd Leisure has completed its deal to buy The Academy Health Club and Spa and will begin £3.1m (US$4m, €3.4m) worth of refurbishment work on the facility next month.

Work is expected to be complete before Christmas, during which time the club will remain open.

All four indoor tennis courts and three outdoor courts will be resurfaced, group exercise facilities will be upgraded and feature a new cycling studio, and the pool area will also be refreshed.

The club will also feature a DL Kids area and soft play space for younger members, and a DLicious cafébar.

David Lloyd Leisure exchanged contracts to buy the premium club in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in June, which has been renamed David Lloyd Harrogate.

Huw Davies-Thomas, David Lloyd Clubs’ new openings director, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Academy’s members and team to David Lloyd Clubs. The club is clearly much-loved by its members, and has a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. 

"While we have exciting plans to invest in it to make it Harrogate’s leading health and racquets club, we are fully committed to ensuring that it does not lose any of its relaxed and welcoming character.”

Philippa Shackleton, who has been at the club since it opened in 1994, will continue to manage the facility and its team. She said: “David Lloyd Clubs are one of the UK’s leading premium health groups, and we are all very excited by its plans to invest in the club. It’s great news for both the club members and team alike.”