Epsom opening takes David Lloyd Leisure to 50 clubs

Whitbread has opened its fiftieth David Lloyd Leisure club in Epsom, Surrey.

The £8m development boasts squash and tennis courts as well as two swimming pools and a gym, which at nearly 1,000sq m is one of the largest in Europe.

More than 50 per cent of the club's membership capacity is already filled.

Stewart Miller, managing director of David Lloyd Leisure, said that the rollout of the brand and the speed at which new clubs are generating returns is very encouraging. 'Our like for like sales continue to improve, we have a member retention rate that runs over 10 per cent above the industry average and we're committed to doubling in size - this is a real growth business,' he said.

The group is now halfway to achieving its target of 100 clubs nationwide. Further openings scheduled for 2002 include Fulham later this month and Kingston upon Thames in December. Details: +44 (0)1582 844 899