A TURBULENT time for business magnate Duncan Bannatyne did little to slow the profits of his leisure and fitness empire, according to new figures.

Accounts released today (Monday, May 2) reveal pre-tax profits for the Bannatyne Group doubled between 2014 and 2015.

The continuing success of the health and fitness chain set up by the former Dragon’s Den star saw pre-tax profits go from £3.35million in 2014 to £8million by 2015 – an increase of 138 per cent.

The Bannatyne Group operates 37 spas across the UK along with a number of hotels and health clubs.

Today’s figures show membership of the facilities nationwide is continuing to grow considerably, going from 163,654 in 2014 to 186,456 in 2015.

Bosses say more than 9,000 additional members have joined in 2016, with the year showing good growth all round so far.

Chief executive officer Justin Musgrove said the company’s enduring success could be attributed to a growth in members, high attrition rates and a growing investment programme.

He added: “The success of our investment programme, providing the best equipment, state of the art technology and leveraging our expertise in spas in an ever-growing health and fitness market has driven the group’s performance during 2015.”

Mr Musgrove said plans to drive growth in the future included further investment in the group’s 35 health clubs and the launch of 16 new Bannatyne Spas.

A spokesman for the Darlington-based Bannatyne Group said its investment programme and the refurbishment of its facilities had helped to ensure the on-going loyalty of members.

Recent years saw the Bannatyne Group mired in controversy as police conducted a multi-million pound fraud investigation.

Former finance director and gambling addict Christopher Watson, who worked for Bannatyne Fitness, was jailed in 2015 after admitting an £8million fraud against the company.

His crimes – conducted between 2008 and 2014 - left Mr Bannatyne “absolutely shocked and appalled”.