0835 Leisure Summer 08_aw.indd - HLL Humberts Leisure

Health and fitness clubsClub classDespite widespread concern over a downturn in the economy, the health andfitness sector remains buoyant according to a number of recent published reports.Although growth has slowed, the number of facilities in the UK, total numbers of members and market value of thesector have increased over the last year. Consolidation continues to occur and, at the time of writing, the solutionto Esporta is eagerly awaited. HLL Humberts Leisure provides advice to many companies in the health and fitnesssector, with some of our most recent activity including:37° Health and Fitness Club,More London Riverside, SE1Forming part of the new More London development,on the South Bank of the River Thames, the club hasattracted in excess of 3,000 members after less than twoyears of operation. The property has been revalued by HLLHumberts Leisure on behalf of the owners and principalfunders, Close Venture Management.Fitspace and Fitness FirstHLL Humberts Leisure recently acted on behalf of Fitness Firstin respect of the sale of seven health and fitness clubs to Fitspace.Fitspace is a new discount internet based health and fitness clubcompany offering membership pricing significantly below otheroperators in the market. Fitspace now operate eight health andfitness clubs and is one of fifteen investments currently heldby Leisure & Media VCT PLC, a joint venture set up by HLLHumberts Leisure and JO Hambro Capital Management Ltd.37° Health and Fitness Club,London Olympia Exhibition CentreForming part of the famous London Olympia Exhibition Centre thisis the second of the two 37° Health and Fitness Clubs in London.The club had more than 2,000 members by the end of April 2008(after only four months of operation) and has been revalued by HLLHumberts Leisure on behalf of the owners and principal funders,Close Venture Management.Clarice House Group(Ipswich, Colchester & Bury St. Edmunds)HLL Humberts Leisure provides ongoing valuation and strategicadvice to the Clarice House Group, assisting the company’sdevelopment of its health club, residential and day spa offeringfrom three existing properties in East Anglia.The Weybridge Health Club,Walton Lane, Weybridge, SurreyComprising former livery stables and farm buildings which havebeen redeveloped to provide a high class sports and health andfitness club facility. The club achieved in excess of 2,000 memberswithin its first year of operation and is expected to attain its targetcapacity well within the first two years of trading.The owners of the Weybridge Health Club, who are backed by CloseVentures, also recently acquired Riverbourne Health and FitnessClub in Chertsey and are eager to acquire other quality freeholdor long leasehold opportunities. HLL Humberts Leisure providesongoing valuation advice for The Weybridge Health Club and alsohandled the sale of Riverbourne.HLL Humberts Leisure is currently looking to acquire other qualityhealth and fitness clubs on behalf of clients. If you have suitableopportunities, or require advice on the health and fitness sector,please contact Gavin Brent at HLL’s London office.ContactGavin Brent BSc MRICS, Londone: gavin.brent@humberts-leisure.com t: +44 (0)20 7629 670026 Summer 2008