Fernwood Goes Bolly!

Bendigo-based Fernwood Fitness Centres has announced that it will enter India within a year.

According to Chief Executive Stephan Herzog "the idea is to get into an equal joint venture with an Indian partner (and) operate mainly through the franchise route."

Speaking of potential Indian partners, Herzog added, "we are talking to many, but considering the soaring land prices, we would prefer to piggyback on a real estate developer."

Fernwood which operates women-only franchised clubs is aiming to finalise business plans to become operational within the next 12 months in India. As Herzog adds "in the first five years of operations in India, we intend to set up about 60 fitness centres across 35 major cities in the country."

India is amongst four international markets, the others being the UK, South Africa and the Middle East, where Fernwood is planning to expand.