BOSSES at the Virgin Active gym in Bolton have confirmed it is one of 35 sites to be sold to a not for profit health organisation.

The gym, based in The Valley, is part of a deal between the gym operator and Nuffield Health for an undisclosed sum, which Virgin Active said will allow it to focus on its range of exclusive health clubs.

All staff and members at the gym will be transferred to the new owner.

Staff at the Bolton gym are said to have been informed of the change in ownership yesterday. The deal is expected to be completed later this summer.

Virgin Active said it is focusing on its luxury Collection chain of gyms, big family clubs and racquets clubs.

Following the sale, Virgin Active will have 61 clubs across the UK, with plans to focus on London and other major towns and cities.

Paul Woolf, chief executive of Virgin Active, said: "This is a positive deal with a compelling rationale for both ourselves and Nuffield Health.

"We believe that the success of these clubs will continue under Nuffield Health and are pleased that the members and club teams will be transferred, which was a very important consideration for us."

Nuffield Health now has 112 gyms across the country, with the closest site to Bolton currently being based at The Printworks in Manchester.

It is a not for profit organisation which also operates 31 hospitals, 77 fitness and wellbeing gyms and over 200 corporate fitness and wellbeing centres around the UK.

The organisation said the deal boosts its ambitions to provide a "seamless connected health and wellbeing service across the UK", aimed at linking up fitness and wellbeing gyms with clinical services and hospitals.

Steve Gray, chief executive officer at Nuffield Health, said: "This acquisition will increase our reach in key sought-after locations and allow both members and non-members access to broader health and wellbeing services as well as proximity to Nuffield Health hospitals.

"I’m delighted to welcome new members and teams to the Nuffield Health family and firmly believe that they will benefit from our broader health and wellbeing model."