Profits at Ben Dunne’s gym double to €266k

CARLISLE Heath & Fitness Club, the Dublin gym owned by Ben Dunne, saw its profits almost double last year.

The gym, which opened in October 2004, had pre-tax profits of €266,242 in the year to the end of May 2008, compared with e139,066 in the previous year.

Carlisle was the first of several fitness centres opened by the former Dunnes Stores boss, who is speculated to have received more than e100 million when he was bought out of the supermarket group by his family in the 1990s.

He has since opened further gyms across Dublin, undercutting rivals on annual membership prices.

According to the accounts, Mr Dunne and his son Mark are listed as directors of the company.

The accounts show gross profit for the year dipped slightly from €4.28m to €4.2m, while operating profit was down from e1.98m to €1.81m.

Retained profit for the year was e220,928 from e89,551 in the previous year.

Mr Dunne, who was born in Cork, turned 60 last month.

His gym empire includes Westpoint in Blanchardstown, Northwood in Santry and the Carlisle in Kimmage.