The leisure industry’s most comprehensive reports

How big is your sector, what is it worth, how are key players performing, what are the trends – and what do the experts think?

Our flagship industry reports are cited by club operators, suppliers, investors, consultants and government bodies across the UK and into Europe as providing ‘invaluable business insights’ for the leisure sector.

Each report is compiled from the most comprehensive review of the relevant sector, involving detailed individual contact with all sites, and supported with expert analysis.

The topline is this: there are now over 300 boutique studios across London, up 17.4% compared to 2018, and while openings are fewer than in the 'peak boutique' pre-COVID years, closures are also slowing as surviving brands stabilise and rebuild.

We know that it is not plain sailing in the boutique sector, with finances hit hard and new funding difficult to come by. Operator and expert interviews throughout the report point to reinvention among boutique brands. But as David Minton observes in his foreword: "Operators remain in the pioneering spirit, responding to changing consumer behaviours with creativity and passion."

Check out our 12 boutique partners at leisuredb.com/boutique-partners

For a quick snapshot of the report's highlights and key trends, download the FREE London Boutique Studio Spotlight Report and enjoy a 15% discount off the full report price before 31 December 2023.

Since 2007, we have produced our annual State of the UK Fitness Industry Report with this year's edition published on 7 June 2023. Renowned across the sector and beyond, this unique data provides the most accurate, granular view of the supply-side to the UK fitness industry. The figures will be adopted by the industry and they will form the backbone of our industry-standard supply demand model.

This year's report makes for fascinating reading, as a newly honed fitness sector emerges from the pandemic, leaner yet arguably stronger and more resilient. Indeed, although the devil is in the detail, let us suggest that the pandemic, inflation and higher energy costs will, in the long term, be seen to be good for the industry. In 2023, the UK has fewer gyms overall than in 2022, yet more members, with penetration rates also recovering. More notable still, market value has reached an all-time high, driven by rising average membership fees.

How does this break down by market segment, which operators have still achieved portfolio growth, where does the value sit within the market? All of these questions are answered in the full report, with further bespoke analysis of specific metrics available on request.

One very interesting finding we can leave you with is that for some brands, the upwards trajectory of average membership fees has moved them out of the low-cost bracket altogether, leading this market segment to shrink for the first time since it emerged in 2011.

Always a keystone report, its robust market intelligence providing context and discussion points for all businesses in the sector, this year’s State of the UK Fitness Industry Report becomes compulsory reading with the added bonus of expert 'Industry views' from Barclays, Pinsent Mason, Otium Real Estate, Consumer Fitness Finance & Technology, along with solutions from 14 partners who joined us to add value in this years publication.

Read about all are fitness partners at leisuredb.com/evolvepartners

Since 2010, we've also published our annual State of the UK Swimming Industry Report which is not just a comprehensive statistical analysis, it is a treasure trove of insights from industry experts and operators. This year's publication released on 26 July 2023, features a series of captivating interviews and articles from experts and individuals who share their experiences and visions for the future.

Among the inspiring personalities included in the report are Steve Bambury, Mark Sesnan, Andrew Clark, Sophie Lawler, John Penny, Jacqui Tillman, Ian Cotton, Alex Godfrey, Emma Reeve, Helen Bull MCIMSPA and Bethan Laker. Their perspectives offer valuable lessons and innovative approaches to shaping the swimming industry's trajectory.

Additionally, we've gathered valuable industry views from experts like Jo Talbot (RLSS), Dave Candler (STA), Marc Jones (Fitronics), Keith Ashton (Space & Place), Sarah Watts (Alliance Leisure) and Eduardo Ferré (Swimming Nature). Their unique insights provide a well-rounded perspective on the current state and future of the swimming industry.

To ensure a future-proof pool provision across the UK, we've handpicked 12 partners to offer cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of the swimming sector.

Read about all our swimming partners at leisuredb.com/swimming-partners

For a quick overview of the State of the UK Fitness Industry and State of the UK Swimming Industry report highlights and key trends, you can download their FREE Spotlight Reports below.

Details of all our latest reports can be found below with direct links to view the content included in each of the reports.