More information about Shape'n'Tone

Shape'n'Tone Fitness Centre was taken over by Lisa and Patrick a year ago. The centre is located on the outskirts of Birdville, a town of 50,000 inhabitants. Most of the people living in Birdville work in Henston, a city 10 kilometres inland.

Birdville has had a spectacular real estate boom for the past two years. It's grown increasingly popular and cosmopolitan. The main reason for this change is the new highway between Birdville and Henston. But Birdville's nature reserves, proximity to the beach, and good schools are also factors. New additions to the town centre include upmarket restaurants, bookstores, and antique shops.

There are four other fitness centres in Birdville. One is a really posh place on the other side of town, four kilometres away from Shape'n'Tone. Another competitor is located right in the centre of town. It has a bar and is a popular place for youngsters. The third place is five kilometres away, on the road to Henston. It is also quite run down, and has just been bought by a group of three male friends who plan to open a franchise of a large fitness centre based in Henston.

Shape'n'Tone is located two kilometres away from the town centre, across the road from a nature reserve that is popular for family walks. Young professionals (who seem to be responsible for Birdville's baby boom!) have revived the neighbourhood behind the fitness centre.

For the past year, Patrick has focused on advertising Shape'n'Tone in the local newspaper. Lisa has spent a lot of time distributing flyers in the town centre on busy days. But it seems that while lots of people come over to Shape'n'Tone for a look, very few decide to become members.

Lisa and Patrick know that redecorating the place would help, but their funds are limited and they don't know where to start. And that's just the beginning. There are so many decisions to make ...