Pictured above: (l-r) Lee Hassan (South Shropshire Leisure Centre), Nick Skidmore and Matt Breakwell (both Cornbrook) at the new Teme Leisure facility in Ludlow

A new state-of-the-art spa in the heart of Ludlow is proving a major hit after 5000 people used its services in the first six months of operation.

Teme Leisure, the social enterprise behind the town's leisure centre, has seen huge interest in its refurbished health suite that now boasts luxury tiled spa pool, saunarium, salt inhalation room, sauna and monsoon feature showers.

User numbers are 30% up on expectations and interest is expected to increase even further when word reaches other people in the town and nearby area.

The £195,000 investment represented a major project for Teme Leisure, who enlisted the support of local firm Cornbrook Construction to project manage the fit out so that it came in on budget, on time and to the highest possible standards.

Lee Hassan, General Manager, was delighted with the results of the refurbishment.

"It's not often that the people of Ludlow get leisure facilities that wouldn't look out of place in the private sector, but this is exactly what they've got with the new spa."

"We've been very careful to design it in a way that provides customers with excellent facilities set in a calm and tranquil environment that adds to the 'wellness' package we offer. We had over 250 people on the first tour and subsequently more than 5000 people have passed through the doors.

"A lot of the feedback has been on the quality of the finish and the 'look and feel' of the spa, something that in no small part is down to the attention to detail of the project team at Cornbrook and its skilled workers"

The independent construction firm, which is based just a few miles away in Cleobury Mortimer, worked hand-in-hand with Teme Leisure on the refurbishment, taking less than six months from initial briefing through to completion.

It had more than six staff working on the contract at any one time and was responsible for installing many of the new facilities, undertaking all of the fixtures and fittings and the final painting to ensure the right appearance.

Matt Breakwell, Managing Director at Cornbrook, picked up the story:

"This was a very challenging project as we were committed to a very tight budget and needed to get it done in a short window of opportunity. We were also working to another firm's plans, which we adapted and fine tuned to ensure users gained the most from the experience.

"Ludlow now has an outstanding spa facility that more than rivals anything in the area and local people are getting right behind it."

Teme, which also runs leisure services in Bishops Castle, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and in Wem, was also keen to appoint Cornbrook due to the firm's commitment to the local community.

Lee added: "As a social enterprise, all of our profits get channelled straight back into the service and facilities we provide. We wanted to work with a company that appreciated what this meant and shared a similar ethos to ourselves - this is clear from all the charity work Matt and his team do and the way they provide training and employment opportunities for young people."

Cornbrook is one of the largest independent construction firms in South Shropshire, employing 32 people and working on anything from loft conversions and extensions to commercial refurbishments and school extensions.

It has enjoyed a record year after emerging from one of the industry's worst ever recessions with a thriving order book featuring work in the residential, commercial, education and leisure sectors, not to mention a £multi-million project at Bradeney House Care Home near Bridgnorth.