This spring will see the launch of the first health and fitness club from contract management company, ARK Leisure Management.

The company specialises in corporate health and wellbeing and manages more than 20 contracts; its clients include the BBC, McDonald's and Rolls-Royce.

Adopting a new, strategic direction, ARK has begun construction of a 23,000sq ft (2,140sq m) health club in the Tower Bridge area of central London.

Due to open in May 2006, the club will serve the capital’s newest central business district called More London and will cater for 4,000 members. It will include a 5,000sq ft (465sq m) gym, a 20m pool and three studios.

Some of the more unusual features include a 1,200sq ft (110sq m) medical centre providing a full GP service, and an indoor golf lounge with golf simulator.

ARK – which is owned by the founder directors Andy Kay and Mhairi FitzPatrick – has worked on the project since 2003, and has funded it in partnership with Close Venture Management, one of the city’s largest venture capital trust managers.