Independent news truGym team leaps into trampoline sector
Five-site expansion for Oxygen
Jump Arena has debuted in Leeds The family team behind independent health club chain truGym are expanding the business into the fast-growing trampoline park sector. The new leisure venture, called Jump Arena, recently launched its first indoor trampoline park in Leeds city centre. The 20,000sq ft park features a large open trampoline area, foam pits, dodgeball, basketball, “Ninja Warrior” style obstacle course and other foam pit activities too. “The launch of the new business has been very successful and the feedback from the customers has been great,” said MD Parm Singh. “We have plans to roll out the brand and have already secured a 37,000sq ft (3,437sq m) property in Luton city centre, scheduled to open in February.” Singh added that the team is also close to securing a further five sites. Details: http://lei.sr?a=X6B4W_H
The second Oxygen Freejumping location opened in Southampton last month Oxygen Freejumping has announced a new five-site deal with 5-a-side football operator Lucozade Powerleague which it says will make it the UK’s largest trampoline park operator. The business – set up by ex-ukactive CEO David Stalker and LA fitness founder Fred Turok – launched its debut site in London in July, with a second location opened in Southampton last month. The new deal – which will see trampoline parks open alongside Lucozade Powerleague offerings in Derby, Wigan, Blackburn, North Shields and Trafford Park by the end of summer 2016 – will take Oxygen Freejumping’s portfolio to seven sites as it bids to become the dominant player in the UK’s fledgling trampoline market. “The sector is extremely competitive as trampolining grows in popularity,” said Rob
Howarth of JLL, who acted for Oxygen on the new deal. “Competition for sites is similar to the early growth of the budget health and fitness market circa five years ago. But just as we saw back then, one or two operators are emerging streaks ahead of the pack and will gain the biggest share of the market.” The five new sites range from 30,00035,000sq ft and are receiving a combined capital investment of £7.5m. Most of the units have been acquired as a sub-let from DW Sports on a 15-year lease and the combined rent on the five sites represents an annual investment of around £1.2m. Stalker added Oxygen Freejumping is seeking further locations and currently has two more sites in the hands of solicitors. Details: http://lei.sr?a=V3s7k_H
i-motion adds property expert Independent chain i-motion gym has secured the services of former Xercise4Less property director Nikolaj Dockree as it bids to ramp up growth in 2016. Dockree, who takes up his new role as i-motion gym commercial director in February, arrives after four years at Xercise4Less, where he oversaw the development of more than one million sq ft of gym space across the UK. Having recently opened the second i-motion site in Stafford, the company now expects Dockree to help drive a significant expansion, with plans to reach 20 sites in the next two to three years. “The opportunity to join i-motion gym was based on the quality they are delivering,” said Dockree.“The market leading design and 22
technology such as TV walls and multiple virtual studios makes this one of the best budget gym brands on the market.” Former rugby player and i-motion gym founder and MD Gareth Evans told Health Club Management in November that he plans to self-finance the next three to four sites, with funding potentially coming from banks and private equity houses to fuel growth beyond that. He said the appointment of Dockree places the company in a strong position as it embarks on its next chapter. “We already have several new sites in the pipeline for 2016,” said Evans. “Nik’s wealth of commercial and in particular, acquisition experience, will be a huge asset to our growing brand.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=5S8g3_H
healthclubmanagement.co.uk February 2016 ©Cybertrek 2016
Nikolaj Dockree has joined i-motion