UK firm buoyed by its success in China

UK-headquartered infant swimming school Water Babies plans to open its first swim centers in China this year, and intends to go on to build 80 facilities across the country in the next 10 years.

The Devon-based franchise business had more than 50,000 clients per week last year and had a business model that depended on hiring out swimming pools.

It is looking to build and operate its own "premium facilities" to house Water Babies lessons, as well as aqua natal classes run by sister company WaterBumps.

Water Babies is one of a number of companies that have developed water training and products aimed at infants and parents. At the lessons, caregivers are encouraged to plunge their babies underwater from the age of six weeks. The training continues as the children grow and many will be able to save themselves if they fall into water, even before they can swim properly.

Steve Franks, managing director of Water Babies, said: "China has shown us the way. It is our move into China that has prompted the company to build centers across our whole network. Without the scale of ambition demonstrated in China, it is unlikely that we would have considered building centers in Europe either."

The company has partnered with Italian pool-building company Myrtha Pools, which has constructed facilities for recent Olympic Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games.