Stephen Purdew, owner of the Champneys chain of spa and health resorts, has announced that the company is to open a number of small day spas around the UK, beginning with a site in Chichester which will open in November.

Each Champneys wellness centre will boast four treatment rooms and offer a number of skincare treatments, such as facials and massages, alongside wellbeing advice.

As well as the Chichester facility, three further sites are currently under offer.

Purdew has confirmed that the group is currently in discussion with a chain of pharmacies in Russia, with the intention of promoting the Champneys range of health and beauty products to the Russian market, with details expected to be finalised “imminently”.

The move follows a deal with J Sainsbury in 2004, where a range of Champneys beauty products were launched in partnership with the supermarket retailer. It has also been recently announced that this partnership is to be extended with the launch of a new range of healthy, ready meals.

Champneys first overseas spa opened in January 2005 in India at the Grand Resort Hotel in Goa and there are also plans to reportedly open further Champneys spa sites in two US cities – New York and Los Angeles. Details: www.champneys.com