David Lloyd expands into schools

Whitbread has announced plans to expand its David Lloyd Leisure health and fitness club brand through partnerships with schools.

The company is to open its 49th club in February next to Nonsuch High School for Girls at Cheam in Surrey. Pupils will have limited off-peak access to selected David Lloyd facilities including the tennis courts and swimming pool. Whitbread has also funded an all-weather hockey pitch and sports hall, plus the construction of a new music department and recording studio.

The expansion follows Whitbread's announcement last year of its intention to invest £500m and double the size of the David Lloyd business to 100 clubs over the next five years.

This is a prime example of how the public and private sectors can work together successfully, said David Lloyd Leisure's managing director, Stewart Miller. It allows UK schools to gain sports and educational facilities they are crying out for, and enables us to meet the growing consumer demand for health and fitness facilities.

Whitbread is keen to replicate this agreement with other schools, colleges and organisations in the public sector.

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