Independent health club operator the Bannatyne Group is to invest £16m (21.4m euro, US$31.6m) in a portfolio of new spas, hotels and health clubs in the UK during 2008.

Plans include the development of the 50-bedroom Hotel Bannatyne costing £3m (4.02m euro, US$5.9m) in Norwich. In addition, £1.5m (2.01m euro, US$2.96m) will be spent on two new Sensory Spas in Darlington and Hastings and £8m (11.7m euro, US$15.8m) will be spent on developing two new health clubs.

Two existing hotels will also be extended, with £1.3m (1.7m euro, US$2.56m) being invested in the Beauport Park Hotel in Hastings while the Hotel Bannatyne in Durham will benefit from a 23-bedroom extension.

Duncan Bannatyne said: “The position we have established for ourselves in the health club sector proves that there is always room to grow by moving into towns and cities where customers demand high-quality service and facilities.”