Dutch health insurance provider Achmea has withdrawn from the fitness sector, pulling the plug on its chain of Achmea Health Centers.

Only in November, Achmea and another Dutch operator Fitland had announced plans to collaborate in the creation of a national chain. The agreement saw the two organisations bringing together their respective facilities into a chain of over 60 sites, with plans to expand further.

However, in an announcement at the end of June, Achmea confirmed it was closing 12 of its health clubs in the Netherlands, with Fitland taking over the remaining 19 centres. The deal sees Fitland almost doubling in size, expanding from 22 clubs to 41.

Achmea Health Centres reportedly made a loss of over €6m (US$8.1m, £4.8m) in 2013, which has been attributed to a changing marketplace and changing consumer behaviour.