THE outlook is certainly healthy for Bury-based fitness guru Louise Brooks.

For the local businesswoman has just invested £250,000 by buying the whole building of her headquarters in the town's Chapel Street.

The top floor comprises the Louse Brooks Health Studios (LBHS), which has been based there for the past six years.

Presently employing 25 local staff, there are plans to extend the studios from its current 8,000 sq ft to utilise the full 16,000 sq ft - offering further job opportunities for people in the Bury area.

Louise had been anxious to buy the building for a number of years and has worked hard, investing and reinvesting to be in a position to do so.

She says: "I have been involved in the fitness industry for 18 years and I regard this as quite a commitment to Bury. Louise Brooks Health Studios are funded and operated solely by myself."

In fact, LBHS and its loyal staff are totally committed to the members. This is reflected in its 60 per cent membership retention when the national average is 25 per cent.

It is a BUPA-approved health club and employs hand-picked qualified and fully trained staff - many of whom have been with the company for a number of years.

Last year, it beat 285 clubs nationally to win the "Commit to Get Fit" award. The studios boast 1,000 members and is one of the few clubs in the country to open to non-members.

The first, major part of the expansion plan is a three-fold increase in the size of the gym. This work is already at an advanced stage of planning.

Also included in the plans is a second work-out studio with a sprung wooden floor and atmospheric lighting as well as new, luxurious changing rooms and a steam room.

The creche is also to be increased in size, adding an outside play area to its existing facilities.

"Fitkids" and "Teenscene" members will have more activities on the timetable and a fully-equipped room for recreation and games to complement their fitness schedule.

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