DEFINITIONS
OVERVIEW
PRIVATE SECTOR
PRIVATE SECTOR
FEES UP, POOL COUNT DOWN
PRIVATE CLUBS
All UK private health and fitness clubs with a gym and swimming pool facility that’s available to the general public on a pay-per-swim or membership basis.
Private clubs
As in the public sector, the number of private health clubs with a swimming pool has gone down again; this year, the decline is similar across both market sectors. Across the UK, there are now 1,283 private clubs with a pool, down from 1,309 in 2023. This equates to a fall of 2% in the 12 months to the end of March 2024. The total number of pools has also dropped, from 1,648 to 1,613 (-2.1%). Of the 1,283 total, 463 are now managed by the top 10 operators, down from 473 since 2023 (-10 clubs). Nuffield Health (see interview, page 90) remains the leading private sector operator in the UK by number of clubs with pools: 111, two fewer than in 2023. It is followed by David Lloyd Clubs in second place, which has a net gain of one location since our last report. These two operators are the only brands to have more than 100 clubs with a pool. Looking at private sector operators with more than 50 clubs with a pool brings in Bannatyne, while Sports Direct Fitness, Village Gym and Virgin Active each have 25–50 clubs with pools. You can check out the full top 30 rankings on page 103. Across the private sector, there were six new openings and 25 closures (please note, figures refer to openings and closures of clubs with a pool – see definitions, page 86). The average membership fee for a private sector health club with a pool in the year to 31 March 2024 was £78.97 (up from £74.39 in 2023 – an increase of +6.2%).
1,283
OPERATORS
Top 10/30 pool operators: Clubs belonging to the top 10/30 operators, as ranked by number of clubs with a swimming pool. Note that totals exclude any temporarily closed facilities. Where operators are tied in total number of clubs, higher ranking is determined by the greatest total fitness membership (data currently excludes swim-only members). Where an operator has more than one brand, these are listed together – e.g. Harbour Clubs falls into David Lloyd Clubs’ site count.
Pools
INDEPENDENTS & MULTI-CLUB OPERATORS
Independents: Single-site clubs – not part of a larger brand or group of clubs. Multi-club operators: Branded groups of clubs or an owner that operates more than one club.
1,613
OPENINGS & CLOSURES
Openings: Clubs with new swimming pools that opened between 01/04/2023 and 31/03/2024, either as a result of a swimming pool being added to an existing dry club or the opening of a new-build private club with a pool. This does not include swimming pools added to a club already with a swimming pool; swimming pools that have been refurbished; or clubs where a new swimming facility has been constructed to replace an existing one. Closures: Clubs with swimming pools that closed between 01/04/2023 and 31/03/2024, either as a result of a full private club closure or an individual swimming pool being closed at an existing club, meaning there is no remaining swimming pool. If a club is taken over by another operator, this is not counted as a closure or a new opening.
Openings
6
Closures
25
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP FEE
Monthly peak membership fee on the non-contract option if this is available, or the rolling peak monthly membership fee in the absence of a non-contract option.
POOL TYPE
Indoor main: Indoor rectangular pool that’s 15m or more in length. Indoor teaching: Indoor teaching, learner or training pool that’s less than 15m in length. Indoor leisure: Indoor freeform or curved pool. Indoor diving: Designated indoor diving pool. Outdoor: Open-air pool that may be seasonal or open all year round.
Average membership fee £78.97
86
87
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023 STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2024
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
86
87
STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2024
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting