Online gym pass provider PayasUgym has today announced a £1.6m raft of venture capital funding as it seeks to continue growth across the UK market.

The investment, led by Albion Ventures and MMC Ventures with additional support from existing investors, bringing total investment in the company to date to £3.5m.

The funding will be used to strengthen PayasUgym’s position in the UK market and to launch new products and services - including a new tool enabling customers to compare and directly book fitness classes all over the UK.

Partnering with well-known brands such as Virgin Active, Pure Gym, Energie and Hilton Livingwell, the PayasUgym website now provides access to one in three of all UK health clubs and gyms. With 12 million ex-gym members in the UK, the company sees itself as the ideal solution for those looking to get back into the gym, as well as enticing first timers, by offering flexible and discounted gym passes nationwide.

“We’ve built a strong and dedicated network of angel investors who have loyally supported us so far and now we are entering a new stage in the life of PayasUgym that requires ‘next-level’ investors,” said PayasUgym CEO Jamie Ward, who founded the company in 2010 with Neil Harmsworth.

“I’m delighted to welcome Albion and MMC to the party, not only for the funds but also the guidance and support they can offer us from their extensive networks and experience of scaling young companies.”

Under the new tranche of funding, PayasUgym has also attracted investment from businessmen including founder of 'Active Hotels’ (now booking.com) Andy Phillips, Canons Health Clubs chain founder Harm Tegelaars and Mark Ferguson (son of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson).