DUNCAN Bannatyne's gym business will invest £1.8m into the health club where his empire began.

The Bannatyne Group has announced the massive investment at its Ingleby Barwick health club, which was the first to open 20 years ago.

Since then the Bannatyne Group has built up a portfolio of 69 sites across the UK.

The revamp, which is expected to be completed in April 2018, will see a luxury spa being created on-site.

There will also be group cycling, mind & body classes, and new changing rooms and showers.

Family and disabled facilities will also be available.

The Bannatyne Spa will include six treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations and a range of spa treatments and spa days, using products such as Elemis and OPI.

There will be a new poolside relaxation area, and a cafe bar with a late licence and serving Starbuck's coffee will provide a venue for social activities.

As part of the cafe bar there will be a soft play area, live sports broadcasts, and an outdoor patio area.

New technology including virtual fitness classes, and wristband entry and locker operation, including cashless purchases, will be installed.

Justin Musgrove, chief executive of The Bannatyne Group, said; "Ingleby Barwick will always be special as the first club opened by Duncan Bannatyne OBE.

"The business has come a long way in 20 years and this major investment is testament to the ambitions of the business.

“Over the last couple of years members at Ingleby Barwick have benefitted from significant upgrades to the gym, with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and this second phase will complete the project.

“The addition of a Bannatyne Spa is fantastic news for the health club, and the local area. It will support our focus on holistic health and wellbeing and enable people to fulfil their desire for healthy lifestyles based on a blend of exercise, relaxation and rejuvenation.

“I’m really proud that the first club in our portfolio is going from strength to strength.”

Mr Bannatyne, known for his appearances on BBC's Dragons' Den, started the health club following a skiing accident, after which he needed regular exercise to recover.

He could not find facilities locally and decided to use some of the proceeds from the sale of his previous business, Quality Care Homes, to launch the fitness chain.

Bannatyne's has been launching spas at many of its health clubs, and there are now 37 in total.

Mr Bannatyne also owns and operates Bannatyne hotels in Darlington, Hastings, Shepton Mallet and Durham.