04.04.05
Fitness Studio Grows Thanks to Finance Cornwall

Robin Teverson, Chief Executive of Finance Cornwall is put through his paces by Curves fitness centre's owners, Bianca Boone and Caroline Milton

A keep fit studio near St Austell is looking healthier than ever thanks to a substantial investment package supported by Finance Cornwall.

While waistlines are rapidly shrinking, Curves fitness centre for ladies is expanding following the investment which will be used to double the size of the venue in Par.

The project comes less than a year after the franchise was launched by Bianca Boone and Caroline Milton. The pair had aimed to have 210 members this summer, but by December an impressive 300 women had signed up. Collectively members of the women-only club, which promotes exercise and healthy eating in a bid to keep weight down, have lost a staggering 2,500 inches and 356lbs.

Finance Cornwall has invested a total of £7,000 in the £34,000 project which has seen the remainder of investment come from a high street bank and Bianca and Caroline themselves.

Curves has entered the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest growing franchise. Its success is down to a unique style of workout in which members are given the equivalent of a one-and-a-half-hour workout in 30 minutes – perfect for modern women with busy schedules.

Bianca said the business would have been unable to grow without the investment from Finance Cornwall. "We definitely would not have been able to expand without the help of Finance Cornwall. They have been extremely helpful right from start to finish. It's been great to have their support."
Bianca and Caroline are doubling the size of their premises at Unit One, Just Fir, Par Moor Road by taking up a neighbouring unit. The expanded venue will offer room for 500 women and features various types of hydraulic fitness machines.

In fact such is the confidence in Curves that the two women are set to open another centre on the outskirts of Truro. They are waiting for the go ahead from council planners before they begin the next part of their successful venture.

Finance Cornwall Fund Manager Jeff Lenihan said he was delighted to have been able to support Curves: "This is a really exciting venture and we are pleased to have been able to help Bianca and Caroline. It's great to hear they're getting some amazing results in helping people keep fit while having fun at the same time. We have every confidence that what the women have already achieved will stand them in good stead for continued success.

Curves is the second largest franchise in the USA and has seen tremendous growth in the UK with new clubs opening weekly. There are now more than 50 clubs in Britain where women can get into a habit of exercise which is 'fun, fast and safe'. Curves weight loss programme claims to produce 'permanent results without permanent dieting'.

For further information about Curves telephone Caroline or Bianca on 01726 810030. For more information on Finance Cornwall visit www.financecornwall.co.uk.

Finance Cornwall is an Objective One Gateway Fund with investment of £9 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

Editor's notes:

Finance Cornwall background
Finance Cornwall is a £20 million investment fund backed by £9 million from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund.

Finance Cornwall’s funds are administered by Finance Cornwall Fund Managers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

For more information contact Jason Clark
Deborah Clark & Associates
01872 276276

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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