Scott Lloyd, managing director of David Lloyd Leisure (DLL), has said that the health and racquet club operator is well-placed to meet changing economic and consumer demands as it enters the new year.

Speaking at an LPF Seminar on 27 November, Lloyd said that flexibility and consolidation following the integration with the Next Generation brand meant that the company was in a good position to see out current economic concerns. When asked about a potential deal for Esporta's racquet clubs, Lloyd said that it was the company's intention to consolidate in the premium racquet clubs, although "DLL was and is interested in Esporta's racquet element." However, any deal would be dependent on what Société Générale decides to do with the brand.

Paul Guyer, group property director for DLL, also addressed delegates at the events and revealed that in the last year, the company had reduced bad debt to 2 per cent through a zero tolerance policy towards rent arrears. However, Guyer said that DLL's strategy for 2009 would be changing to a more pragmatic approach with early intervention to minimise void. Rather than terminating leases over arrears, the company would look at regearing leases with the idea that "some income was better than no income."

Guyer also revealed that a complete review of the company's portfolio identified sites which could be disposed of in the near future, with the intention of recycling sales to fund new developments. DLL said that it will be looking to "hoover" up opportunities over the next 18 months before infilling.