New head office planned by Bannatyne Group

Leisure group to replace existing Darlington HQ with new facilities

Article posted: 22 Mar 2011

According to today’s Northern Echo The Bannatyne Group, owned by Dragon Den star Duncan Bannatyne, is set to build new offices in Darlington. The new property which will be constructed on land already owned by the group, will replace the company’s existing head office.

The Bannatyne Group owns 60 health clubs in the UK as well as spas and hotels. It employs around 300 people nationwide.

In an interview regarding the new office, Mr Bannatyne said: "We have planning permission and the tenders for the work are out with construction firms now. It will be on land we already own near the health club on Haughton Road.

"If we can get the funding in place we might start work within the next two months. It is about a seven month build programme then the IT has to be installed so we are looking at 10 months."

Mr Bannatyne went on to explain that the construction of new headquarters was in part due to the age of the group’s existing offices which he said are quite old with a leaking roof. He also regretted the lack of disabled access.

Noting a positive start to 2011, Mr Bannatyne said the group was doing well with more new memberships secured at its 60 health clubs in the first two months of this year than for any corresponding period.

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Posted by Jules