Following approval to build a £250 million wellbeing resort in Manchester, Therme Group has revealed plans to develop the concept in other major UK cities. The roll out will create over 3,000 new direct jobs and represents a major investment in the health and wellbeing of the population.
The development plan includes projects with a similar concept to Therme Manchester in Wales, Scotland and London. Work begins on the 28-acre Manchester resort next year. All of the projects will be developed at sites located near to city centres.
The concept, combining nature, sustainable technology and culture, has been phenomenally successful in Europe for over 20 years. It offers a fun and relaxing experience that also focuses on mental and physical health, including tackling the growing issue of obesity.
Guests can experience thermal bathing traditions from around the world, fun and healthy activities for all ages and affordable wellbeing therapies in a biodiverse natural environment. Therme Group believes that wellbeing should be accessible to all, and the scale of the resorts allows entry prices to be set at a level that is socially inclusive. The physical and mental health benefits visitors experience support preventative healthcare in communities.
The UK development will be a significant driver for economic growth, also enabling new technology and R&D partnerships. Therme Group aims to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the populations it serves, an issue that has received increased focus and urgency in 2020.
Therme Group already operates across Europe. Its latest resort opened in 2016 in Bucharest and welcomes 1.3 million visitors a year. The UK is now a key focus for the business’s international development programme.
UK Chief Operating Officer, James Mark, said: “Our resorts provide a vital piece of social infrastructure in our cities, creating relaxing and fun places to meet whilst also nurturing mental and physical health. Our aim is to ensure that a Therme Group wellbeing resort is within easy reach of 90% of the UK population.”
The group plans to work with central and local government bodies, investors and stakeholders to deliver the UK development plan, with the goal of improving health, wellbeing and quality of life for the general public, in a way that is affordable and accessible to all.
With the first UK city-based resort starting construction next year, the company is engaging with private and public sector partners in the UK. There are also plans in development for Asia, Europe and North America.
Therme Group is at an advanced stage of discussion with local authorities and stakeholders in several locations in Wales, Scotland and London. “We will be locating our resorts within large population centres” said James Mark. “Now more than ever, people living in cities need opportunities to have relaxing and affordable wellbeing experiences close to home. Our concept, creating indoor biodiverse ecosystems that combine pure waters and natural environments, is already hugely popular in a number of European cities and it is a concept that will fundamentally improve the way we will live in the future.”