Health Club Management has helped to officially launch a new set of annual awards designed to help health clubs promote themselves locally.

The Members' Choice Health Club Awards are the first consumer awards in the industry recognising excellence in customer service by asking members to vote for their clubs.

The awards are designed to encourage interaction between staff and members, and - for the winners - will act as an effective tool for local marketing."

The competition is open to all private health clubs, gyms and local leisure centres in the UK. It's free to enter and clubs can register until 31 December. Online voting for members will open from 10 January to 6 March 2011.

The winning clubs will be announced in May 2011. Awards will be given to 13 regional winners (10 in England as well as Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales) in two categories - clubs with up to 2,000 members and those with more than 2,000.

There are also national categories for chains of clubs including best small, medium & large chain. In each region the Top 10 clubs will be shortlisted plus a Gold, Silver & Bronze winner.

There will be a National Grand Prix award for the UK's highest scoring club.

Simon Brown, MD of Awards For Business, which will run the scheme in association with HCM, said: "These are the first consumer awards for the industry and the member feedback will help clubs to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop their offering accordingly."

Liz Terry, editor of Health Club Management added "Creating as successful club isn't just about great facilities, it's about the staff, communication, customer service and whether the club provides value for money. The Health Club Awards will help clubs focus on these aspects of the operation and at the same time add, a new dimension to their marketing efforts".

To register for the awards go to www.healthclubawards.co.uk