A Thorpe Bay leisure centre is set for a major facelift, thanks to a £1.5m takeover by a leading national company.

The former Courtlands Health and Country Club is to be converted into an LA Fitness gym.

The refurbishment will get under way on November 13 to bring the centre in Wakering Road in line with the company's contemporary state-of-the-art fitness facilities throughout the rest of the UK.

At the moment the club offers various aerobics and fitness classes, a swimming pool, a gym, beauty treatments, and tennis and squash courts.

However, the closure for around 20 weeks will see new and improved features such as a hairdressers, a bar and cafe and two studios.

An LA Fitness spokesman said: "We are delighted to be able to bring an LA Fitness club to the area with all the facilities members enjoy at our other clubs around the country."

Other proposals for the redevelopment for the club include four squash courts, outdoor and indoor pools and new dressing rooms as well as a beautician, sauna, steam and spa rooms.

The ideas are currently just plans but once they are finalised the full details will be displayed at the centre.

All 1,600 members at the club will retain their current membership.

LA Fitness owns a club in Billericay, plus more than 30 others nationwide.

By 2003, it plans to have 70 UK clubs with 160,000 members, and is also set to open its first European club in Spain.

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