A HEALTH and fitness centre, costing £7million, is due to open in Walkden on July 1. Total Fitness - Walkden will employ about 50 people. The company involved says it will cover 60,000 sq ft and will be the biggest in the Greater Manchester area.

The centre in New Ellesmere Approach is the first of a number of clubs scheduled for the Manchester and Liverpool areas over the next two years.

Holmes Place Plc, the recently-floated premier health club chain which operates in and around London, is in partnership with Mr Albert Gubay, a commercial property developer and retailer who has already built two successful Total Fitness Clubs outside Dublin.

The club, which will occupy two floors, will be equipped with two swimming pools, hundreds of pieces of the latest fitness equipment and extensive beauty, training and leisure facilities.

It will open from 6am to 10pm.

Mr Mark Minter, Managing Director of Total Fitness (UK) Ltd, said: "Awareness of sports and fitness is already very high in Manchester and the North-west and as the Commonwealth Games approach this will only increase.

"The time is right for a significant investment within the region to deliver the very best in fitness for all."

The club has already started a pre-opening membership drive aimed at everybody from absolute beginners to hardened gym-goers.

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