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DLL set to buy Virgin Active sites David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) has exchanged contracts to buy 16 Virgin Active health clubs for an undisclosed sum. The deal will bring the total number of DLL clubs to 111 and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017. The clubs are in Berkshire, Brighton, Clearview, Dorset, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lanarkshire, Lancashire, Lichfield, Norfolk, Northwood, Surrey, Thorpe Wood, Warwickshire and Wearside. DLL operates 83 clubs in the UK with a further 12 in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, including its latest club at Aravaca, Madrid which opened on 1 February. Since being acquired by private equity company TDR in 2013, DLL has embarked on a major programme to improve existing clubs. To date the company has
invested more than £120m in refurbishing and developing its estate, including the opening of five new-build clubs. The Virgin deal underlines DLL’s aggressive growth strategy in the UK and across Europe. Five clubs have opened in the last 16 months in Newbury, Rouken Glen (Glasgow), Colchester, Antwerp in Belgium, and Madrid in Spain. Commenting on the Virgin deal, Glenn Earlam CEO, said: “The acquisition of these new sites will be a great move for us, and will greatly accelerate our medium term growth plans in the UK, allowing us to concentrate more on our move into European markets. Most importantly they move DLL into several important new areas of the country, meaning that more people can benefit from our clubs.” Read more online
JD Gyms to expand portfolio by 25 per cent JD Gyms is expanding its portfolio from eight to ten sites with new facilities in Birmingham, West Midlands, and Batley, West Yorkshire. The Birmingham gym will be a 26,000sq ft (2,415sq m) three-floor facility at the Alcora Building on Newtown Middleway, off the Aston Expressway. JD Gyms, part of JD Sports Fashion group, has obtained planning permission to open a gym at the office complex and is pumping £2m into the project. Featuring more than 200 pieces of cardio, strength and functional fitness equipment, the gym will also have male and female saunas, a ladies-only gym and a free weights zone. Two large studios will host more than 300 classes a month. Read more online Fitz Arkey (left) and Dhiren Varand will manage the new JD Gyms club in Birmingham
Glenn Earlam, DLL’s chief executive officer
The club is the US chain’s flagship in Europe
Xtend Barre enters London Design studio Amos Goldreich Architecture have completed a “dynamic and tranquil” health club in London for Xtend Barre, with the site earmarked as the American fitness brand’s first flagship European studio. Located on Marylebone High Street, the 3,000sq ft (278sq m) club is a contemporary space for Xtend Barre’s “adrenalinefuelled” training classes – a fusion of ballet, dance and Pilates that enhance flexibility, improve balance and challenge the core. The design team were tasked with transforming a
low-lit and “poorly planned” basement office into a welcoming and calming space. The original interior was stripped down and reconfigured to create an airy studio, with enough room for the brand’s all-important barres – stationary handrails, typically used by ballet dancers, that provide support during various exercises. Xtend Barre has 62 franchised locations around the world and 99 licensed studios, including in Indonesia, Japan, China, Singapore, Australia and the US. http://lei.sr?a=x2b8X_H Read more online
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