Fitness First to open nine new UAE clubs by January 2012

Fitness First has announced plans to launch nine clubs across the Middle East by January 2012.

The global fitness chain, operated by the Landmark Group in the Arabian Gulf, has announced that it is set to foray into Abu Dhabi with the opening of two new clubs at the Marina and Dalma Malls.

In a statement the company revealed that Marina Mall club will open its doors on 15th October while the Dalma Mall branch will be operational from 1st December .

Fitness First has also pencilled in three new branches for Dubai that will bring the total number of outlets in the Middle East to 23 and the United Arab Emirates to 17.

Dubai Motor City and Deira City Centre are the venues that will feature the new fitness clubs, the statement added.

These will complement Fitness First's recent acquisition of the Apollo Club in Dubai Knowledge Village. All three outlets will be operational by the end of the year.

Landmark Group acquired the Fitness First licence for the Middle East region last year, purchasing it from a subsidiary of the Saudi leisure conglomerate Al Hokair Group.

The 100% buyout of Leisure Unlimited, the previous franchisee, was carried out by the group's investment arm, Landmark Investments.

Under the terms of the deal, Landmark absorbed all Fitness First assets and employees in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf.

Fitness First's UK-based owners are believed to be seeking a $1 billion sale of the company on the private equity market.

The potential sale to a potential private buyer follows a failed plan to float the company in Singapore.

Owners BC Partners are understood to have appointed Rothschild to handle the sale which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

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18th October 2010 - LANDMARK GROUP ACQUIRES GULF FITNESS FIRST FRANCHISE