UPDATE
OFT to investigate fairness of gym contracts
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has opened an official investigation into whether health club operators are in breach of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations Act 1999. As part of the investigation, the OFT will
also determine if gym and fitness companies are engaging in any unfair business practices under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations Act of 2008. The FIA was quick to respond to the announcement and has scheduled a meeting with the OFT case team in February.
Healthcare charity and fitness operator Nuffield Health has acquired Greens Health & Fitness, a chain of 15 fitness centres, from De Vere Group. As a result of the deal,
Nuffield Health’s overall membership rises to around 300,000 across 66 consumer and 200 corporate sites, making it the sixth largest provider of fitness and wellbeing services in the UK. David Mobbs, group CEO
of Nuffield Health, says: “The acquisition is an important step towards achieving Nuffield Health’s strategic ambition of a national network of fitness and wellbeing facilities, supporting more members to get fitter and healthier. “The acquisition will allow UK health
Facilities at the club include an exercise studio
Fitness4less to open new Southend gym
Low-cost health club operator Fitness4less has announced it has secured a lease for a new 1,858sq m (20,000sq ft) gym at a Southend shopping centre, which is set to open in May. Located on the first floor of the Victoria
Shopping Centre, the club will provide membership at a flat fee of £14.99 a month, inclusive of all facilities and classes. The new Fitness4less site will be equipped with at least 150 pieces of equipment and include a unisex and ladies-only gym, free weights area, class studio and group cycling studio. A Powerzone nightclub-themed area will also form part of the club.
Sandown leisure centre renovation underway
Isle of Wight Council (IWC) has started work on a two-stage refurbishment of The Heights Leisure Centre in Sandown to help improve provision and reduce costs. The project was given the green light by
councillors in March last year, with phase one set to include the construction of a new Tone Zone fitness suite at the rear. A new activity room and a revamped
pool also form part of the first stage of work, which is due for completion in June. The second phase of the project will see the health suite given a new look.
8 The acquisition of Greens sees 15 more clubs join the Nuffield estate
consumers to benefit from the unique proposition Nuffield Health provides, maximising the number of members who are
able to achieve their fitness and wellbeing goals and get healthier. Our newest members will be supported by the UK’s largest healthcare charity, which reinvests all its profits into improving its wellbeing services.” The deal is the third major acquisition
for the group in recent years. It took over Bladerunner in 2010 and Cannons in 2007.
énergie Group to list on Stock Exchange
Health club franchise énergie is to list on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) later this year. Speaking to Health Club
Management, a spokesperson confirmed the plans but declined to confirm an exact date for the entry. It is believed that énergie will be reversing into a cash shell company already listed on the AIM – also known as a special purpose acquisition company. As a result, énergie could
NEWS Nuffield Health acquires Greens
énergie is looking to increase the number of company-owned clubs
be taking on board two new board members. Paul Campbell – a former Leisure Connection chief executive and more recently CEO of restaurant group Clapham House – is believed to be coming in as the new chair of énergie, while Nick Harvey is likely to be made the group’s new financial director. It is understood that the listing is part of
énergie’s plans to accelerate its expansion plans for the UK market. It currently operates 96 clubs, most of which are franchised. The group has, however, expressed its interest
in growing the number of company-owned clubs from the current seven sites. Last year the company announced that it is ramping up the expansion of its low-cost Fit4Less chain.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital Énergie owns and operates five brands:
énergie Fitness, énergie Fitness for Women, énergie Personal Fitness, énergie SHOKK (kids’ fitness brand) and Fit4Less. énergie has also launched its first
commercial venture for Fit4Less, in conjunction with North Hertfordshire College. College students studying health and fitness-related courses will gain hands-on experience in the new Fit4Less gym that’s opened on-site. Once students have qualified from their
courses, they will also be able to use Fit4Less facilities to start their own personal training, sports therapy, sports massage or beauty treatment businesses.
february 2012 © cybertrek 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88