MORE than one million people visit the arena every year. It is used mainly for sport, events and meetings and is run by a not-for-profit leisure trust.

Among the businesses operating at the Arena are an MRI scanning business, and a laser treatment clinic and a hair salon.

Scanning business Ex-Scan UK is run by director Judith Rhind. It was founded in 2004 and is used by sports people and medical patients. It has six employees including doctors, radiographers and admin staff.

Customers include hill runners, ballerinas, basketball players and off-road motorbikers. Its services have also been used in the Tri-Nations rugby contest, by Premiership footballers and UK Rugby.

It also works closely with experts at Wrightington Hospital.

Mrs Rhind said: “Our open design MRI scanner reduces anxiety and the claustrophobic effects of conventional scanners. Children can be accompanied by their relatives and we can scan very tall, broad or obese patients, which is a growing number.

“The arena’s location is excellent. There are six hospitals in the catchment area along with many sport clubs. The railway link is also excellent because many patients cannot drive. Others come from across the UK and can travel by train.

“Our equipment is located here five days a week unlike most hospitals, which are visited by mobile scanning services. Hospital scanners can be heavily used by 30 to 50 doctors, meaning delays, but our process is quicker. There is a little hub of businesses here which support each other. For example, we have a link to Summit Physiotherapy. The arena is lucky to have these business. It’s quite a package. It also supports the sports work here including high-level tennis.”

Clients can refer themselves or be referred by medics or physiotherapists.

One of the newest arrivals at Bolton Arena is the Head Office hair salon. It was opened three months ago and is managed by Nicky Merry, aged 33.

She has links to a Chorley salon owner, Becky Hewitt, and said they saw the arena as very attractive with “massive visitor numbers and a lot going on”.

Mrs Merry said: “We’ve invested £15,000 in refurbishment, equipment, fittings and stock. The salon has three other staff — Nicole Barrow, aged 24, James Taylor, aged 19, and trainee Dana Shaw, aged 16. We have got seven stations here and have a lady starting soon doing eyebrow work. We have space to expand but we’ll take it steady. We’ve only been here a few months and this is a new chapter.” The hair salon is working with a new laser clinic called Radiant Living, run by twins Rachael Hyland and Chris Anders. Mr Anders, aged 36, said about £75,000 has been invested in the new clinic and equipment.

The business has been trading for seven years and has clinics at Parbold, Wigan and Leyland. The clinic opened recently.

Mr Anders said: “We’ve just arrived here and think it will be a good expansion. It has a good catchment area and lots to offer. We run a range of laser-based treatments to remove hair and tattoos, and also to restore hair in some cases for men and women.”