HAVE you ever fancied yourself as a fitness millionaire?

Well, that could soon become a reality after the owner of two Merseyside health clubs decided to put them on the market for just £1 a piece.

Richard Birchall plans to retire but wants to make sure staff at Hearts Ladies Health Club - which has a branch in Wallasey and in Crosby - are safe.

"I want to pass on the business to protect the jobs of my staff so they can continue to provide a good service to club members," said 65-year-old Richard.

The Wallasey Road club has 700 members and opened in 1979.

The larger club in Crosby was opened in 1994 and has 1,200 gym members - 

Richard is willing to sell the clubs separately or together - but that would mean stumping up £2.

Both clubs are ladies only, although a new owner may change this.

They claim to stand out from the competition by offering a far larger and more varied class timetable.

The clubs also offer gym exercise, personal training, sauna, spa, tanning and skin rejuvenation treatments.

Hearts have a combined annual turnover of £700,000.

The business is debt free but currently loss making, although Richard believes there is plenty of scope to cut costs and bring in extra income.

The clubs’ premises are rented and new leases are available.

Asked why he was selling the health clubs so cheaply, Richard said: “I don’t need the money and I want to attract lots of interest.

"This is a great opportunity for a few people with fresh ideas and energy. It will particularly suit new owners with a strong vision and good communication and marketing skill.”

But what will the new buyer will get for a pound?

Richard said: "A business generating a large, regular income, all the assets of the business including equipment, a large database of potential additional members and a dedicated workforce.”

When asked what he will do in his retirement, Richard said: “I love taking two week driving tours in the USA so it would be nice to be able to take longer trips.

"I’d also like to spend a big chunk of next winter travelling around Australia and enjoying some sunshine.” 

If you want to be the newest fitness millionaire, you could do worse than email Richard at richard@heartsclub.co.uk