A SURGE in membership at a Bolton gym has been put down to people power.

Bosses at Total Fitness have been working to turn-around the business and halt problems with membership cancellations.

For 2019 to date, they are reporting an eight per cent rise in member numbers at their Waters Meeting Road site.

Staff also say that their net ratings, measuring customer satisfaction, have improved by 10 per cent year-on-year.

A new management team was appointed by the firm, which also has clubs in Whitefield and Walkden, earlier this year.

This has seen memberships across their 17 gyms increase by 10 per cent overall. For the year beforehand, to May 2018, that figure had in fact dropped by 10 per cent.

Sophie Lawler, the company's chief executive, said while staff had "a great love for the business" before they had become disengaged.

She added: " We began by listening to the teams out in the clubs to understand their key challenges. We reacted quickly by fixing critical issues, addressing immediate performance challenges, and communicating clearly and honestly about our future,"

The firm has pledged to continue to allow Bolton staff the chance to develop.