A LEISURE centre has had 130,000 more visits from fitness fanatics after a refurbishment costing £2.7 million.

Withdean Sports Complex in Brighton has seen business jump by 66% in the first 12 months following a major facelift.

Visits to the centre increased from 198,500 in 2013 to 330,000 this year while the number of members at the centre has also grown by 93% from 1,600 to 3,100 since the works were completed.

The revamped facilities were even fit enough for boxing royalty with Withdean hosting Chris Eubank Jnr for free before his title fight with Billy Joe Saunders last month.

The newly refurbished Withdean Sports Complex, operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, opened its doors to the public on Friday, December 13 last year and has proved popular ever since.

As part of the overhaul, the gym was enlarged to more than double its size to accommodate 125 exercise stations along with two new exercise studios with an indoor cycling studio.

The centre’s changing rooms were extended, new male and female integrated sauna cabins were added, a new cafe and bar area and three therapy rooms were added. A 13-metre climbing wall funded by High Sports was added to the facility in March.

Ross Phillipson, Freedom Leisure centre manager, said: “We’re thrilled that more people in Brighton are keeping active and making the most of the first-rate facilities on offer here at Freedom Leisure.

“As a not-for-profit trust, reinvestment is one of our core principles. “It just goes to show that by modernising facilities and creating a friendly, welcoming environment, you can help improve the health and wellbeing of all sectors of the local community.”

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the economic development and culture committee at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “The improvements at Withdean have made a huge difference to the experience residents can now enjoy at the centre and it’s really encouraging to see these figures one year on. “There’s a truly impressive range of affordable activities for all members of the community so I hope we will continue to see numbers rise.”