World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Heat recovery VRF is fit for purpose

UK: Toshiba has supplied heat recovery VRF air conditioning to the Bannatyne Health Club and Spa in Peterborough as part of a major refurbishment.

The Bannatyne Group is the owner and operator of a portfolio of health clubs, beauty spas and hotels in the UK. It was founded by Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne in 1996 and currently operates 66 Health Clubs, 37 of which have bespoke spa facilities, and five hotels. The Group boasts over 200,000 members and is one of the few with a national footprint in the UK.

The Toshiba variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system is now providing high-performance, energy-efficient cooling and heating for the Peterborough club’s gym, exercise studios, treatment rooms, salon, offices, reception and bar area.

The installation, carried out by Toshiba T7 warranty partner Ventec Services Ltd, includes a combination of eight Toshiba 3-pipe SHRMe VRF and 2-pipe SMMSe VRF condensing units, linked to four-way cassettes and wall-mounted indoor units, together with a Toshiba touch screen controller. To minimise disruption to club members, the installer worked on the project out of hours, with equipment deliveries scheduled accordingly.

Steve Hancock, Bannatyne Group’s technical services director, said: “Providing a comfortable environment for our members and staff is vital to our mission. Energy efficiency is also very important.”

Key requirements of the client and consultant, Services Design Associates Ltd, were a high quality, reliable and energy efficient system. Toshiba application staff supported the consultant through the design stage, while Toshiba distributor Cool Designs Ltd supported the installer on site.

As a result of the successful completion of the Peterborough project, Bannatyne Group – which is a Toshiba Premier Account customer – has placed further orders for Toshiba air conditioning for installation at other health club and spa sites.

Latest News

19th May 2026

R410A refrigerant faces 60% price increase

UK: Beijer Ref UK, the UK’s largest refrigeration and air conditioning wholesaler, has announced a 60% price increase on R410A refrigerant as the UK faces further refrigerant price increases. 
19th May 2026

Daikin announces summer networking events

UK: Daikin UK has planned a series of networking events this summer, promising an agenda of expert-led content, product innovation, and industry dialogue.
18th May 2026

Unlocking the potential of smart heat pumps

IRELAND: Panasonic has partnered with Energised Futures, the research and innovation incubator of British energy and services company Centrica, in an effort to advance intelligent heat pump control. 
18th May 2026

Lu-Ve completes US factory expansion

USA: Italian heat exchanger product manufacturer Lu-Ve has inaugurated the new 20,000m2 expansion of the production area at its US plant in Jacksonville, Texas.
18th May 2026

Nigel Hillier joins Clivet UK

UK: Nigel Hillier, the former managing director of Carel UK, the Italian controls manufacturer's subsidiary, has joined Clivet UK as general manager.
17th May 2026

Car AC emissions could be cut by 60% annually

USA: A new industry study claims that refrigerant emissions from automotive air conditioning systems in Europe could be reduced by around 60% annually by 2050.