BUSINESSMAN Ben Dunne says his Dublin fitness chain has seen a 35 per cent spike in membership in its current financial year. Mr Dunne said turnover across his gym chain was up 18 per cent in the financial year to May 31st, 2010.

The group, which has five gyms across the capital, has adopted a strategy of attracting more members by cutting prices (the average annual membership charged is now €183) and he believes its bottom line will improve again this year.

Accounts for Barkisland (Developments), filed recently, show the group’s total accumulated profits increased slightly to €5.085 million in the year. “We are now certain we’re going to come out of the recession,” said the former Dunnes Stores boss.

In the 2010 financial year, Carlisle Health Fitness Centre in Kimmage posted a profit of just over €750,000, while Northwood in Santry posted a surplus of more than €400,000.

Lucan lost €238,595, but this did not reflect a full 12 months trading as the gym opened during the financial year. Westpoint in Blanchardstown lost €40,865, although Mr Dunne said he expected this to be reversed this year.

Both Westpoint and Northwood experienced a bounce in business, he added, following the closure earlier this month of the Total Fitness chain, which had gyms in Castleknock, on the Malahide Road and in Sandyford.

Mr Dunne opened a fifth Dublin gym last year on Jervis Street. Another fitness centre will be opened in Sandyford by late summer. Although the group implemented pay cuts in 2009, Mr Dunne said the Irish workforce of about 80 people were set to receive pay rises and bonuses in June.