David Lloyd Leisure will invest in 13 new Spa Retreats in 2024

The premium health and wellness group will invest heavily across its 133-strong estate

Europe

By Wendy Golledge

16 April 2024

www.davidlloyd.co.uk/spa-retreat

David Lloyd Leisure has revealed plans to invest in its Spa Retreats offering during the coming year.

The health and wellness group currently has 133 clubs – 103 in the UK and a further 30 across mainland Europe. European sites comprise three brands: David Lloyd Clubs, Harbour Clubs and David Lloyd Meridian Spa and Fitness in Germany.

Having invested £120m in the ‘premiumisation’ of its clubs, the brand recorded a record number of member visits in 2023 – 52m compared to 42m in 2022.

Investment will continue in 2024, with a plan to create 13 new Spa Retreat offerings, taking the total number in the UK to 40 in total.

Man with arms folded posing for camera in front of David Lloyd sign

“After lockdown, there was a shift in what people are looking for from a health and fitness space, and we are continuing to evolve to ensure we are delivering the best facilities.”

Russell Barnes

CEO, David Lloyd

Speaking to The Independent, Russell Barnes, CEO at David Lloyd, said: “Our members want us to become even more premium. They want the quality to increase, so we’ve got a massive investment programme over the next five years.”

Spa Retreats at David Lloyd Leisure

David Lloyd’s Spa Retreat offerings include crystal steam rooms, Himalayan salt saunas, ice fountains and saltwater hydro pools.

Many of its existing Spa Retreats extend out into spa gardens with outdoor hydro pools, saunas and fire pits. The brand’s guiding theme is heating, cooling and relaxing the body.

David Lloyd Clubs Uccle in Bruxelles recently received a €6m investment to upgrade spa facilities

Talking exclusively to European Spa, group creative director Stephanie Holland explained how the brand noticed a trend that clubs with thermal spa facilities performed better, so built its wellness and spa strategy around this.

“We’ve been working to adapt our spa concept in recent years, and the new proposition is about overall wellbeing,” said Holland.

“We offer heat and cool therapies, and relaxation opportunities, intertwining spa and relaxation with mind and body classes. What we’re providing is more holistic wellbeing journey as opposed to hands-on treatments.”

The group is also investing £30 million in solar panels and £20 million in energy efficient technology as it looks to meet its goals to become net zero by 2030.

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