The UK fitness market experienced major changes in Q4 2024 across both the private and public sectors. From new openings and expansions to rebrands and closures, the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
The examples below are just a small selection of the hundreds of updates tracked monthly in Leisure DB’s Monthly Market Tracker.
For a comprehensive listing of all UK operators with 2+ sites, look no further than our Brand Directories - updated every quarter to keep you up-to-speed with shifts in the market.
Explore more: Monthly Market Tracker and our quarterly Brand Directories.
For further details, contact dan@leisuredb.com or book an appointment to discuss how Leisure DB’s Monthly Market Tracker or Brand Directories can help you.
The following examples of key changes in December, November & October 2024 are a small sample of the 572 records found in our Monthly Market Tracker during this period, which are also aggregated in our quarterly Brand Directories.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
PureGym - opened 14 clubs in Alfreton, Newhaven, Plymouth, Wantage, Washington, Brentwood, Craigavon, Hartlepool, Kendal, Letchworth, London Bethnal Green, Neath & Oswestry
The Gym Group - opened 4 new clubs in Surbiton, Gillingham, Shepherds Bush & Elephant and Castle
PUBLIC SECTOR:
4 Brimhams Active managed Leisure Centres (with gyms) moved to North Yorkshire Council management from 1st December 2024 & rebranded under Active North Yorkshire
Fanshawe Pool & Gym - managed by Everyone Active closed on 22nd December 2024 due to government’s decision to cut funding
Leventhorpe Pool & Gym - managed by Everyone Active closed on 23rd December 2024 due to government’s decision to cut funding
PRIVATE SECTOR:
PureGym - opened 5 clubs in Stockton on Tees, Alton, Guildford, Hull Clough Road, Droitwich Spa & Lanark
Snap Fitness - opened 1 new club in Aberystwyth
Foundry Gyms - opened 3 new clubs in Coventry, Tonbridge & Bromsgrove
PUBLIC SECTOR:
Parkwood Leisure - acquired Virgin Active Twickenham and rebranded as TW2 Health and Fitness Club on 1st November 2024
Bletchley Leisure Centre - management transferred to More Leisure Community Trust (working in partnership with Serco) from InspireAll on 1st November 2024
Stratford Park Leisure Centre - management moved back to in-house management by Stroud District Council (Active Lifestyle) from Everyone Active on 1st November 2024 and rebranded as Active Lifestyle Stroud
Aura Wales and the Flintshire County Council - failed to come to an agreement to extend the leisure contract, meaning the council has set up a local authority trading company, Gwella to run services from November 1st
PRIVATE SECTOR:
PureGym - closed 1 club in Marylebone, subsequently acquired by Fitness First & due to be refurbished, rebranded and reopened on 25th January 2025
The Gym Group - opened 1 new club in Bromley by Bow (London)
PUBLIC SECTOR:
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council - management brought back in-house from Everyone Active for 3 leisure centres (with gyms) on 1st October 2024
MyActive, a new partner organisation from High Peak Borough Council & Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is now managing 6 leisure centres (with gyms) from 1st October 2024 (previously managed by Parkwood Leisure operating as LEX Leisure)
London Borough of Haringey - brought management of 3 leisure centres (with gyms) back in-house from Fusion Lifestyle on 1st October 2024
Places Leisure - took over management of Sunbury Leisure Centre on 1st October 2024.
Management of Life Leisure Priestnall switched to Laurus Trust from Life Leisure in October & centre rebranded as Club Priestnall
Spelthorne Leisure Centre - managed by Everyone Active, closed on 30th September 2024 and new replacement centre, Eclipse Leisure Centre, managed by Places Leisure opened on 15th October 2024
Thinking Fitness (Strood) - opened it’s 5th location at the newly built Maritime Academy in Frindsbury, on 19th October