Leeds-based Pure Gym's membership numbers soar

During 2016, the gym operator saw its total membership rise by 23 per cent to 822,000. The company said that membership growth has continued to be “very strong” in early 2017. It had more than 930,000 members at the end of February.

In 2016, the company’s revenues grew 28 per cent to £159.9m. During the year, 38 new or converted gyms were opened, including 18 LA Fitness conversions, taking the year-end total to 170 Pure Gyms. This number had risen to 174 by the end of February.

Humphrey Cobbold, the company’s chief executive, said: “Thanks to the hard work of our exceptional colleagues across the country, Pure Gym consolidated its leadership position in 2016 and we now have an enviable spread of sites across the UK, including 40 in the London area. Almost a million people currently enjoy our affordable and flexible offer and we’ve introduced a variety of different membership options to suit a wide range of personal circumstances.

“No operator in the history of the gym and fitness sector in the UK has ever achieved this scale of membership and we are passionately pursuing our vision of making great fitness opportunities and facilities available for everybody in the country. For 2017, expansion remains our priority with four new gyms open already and plans for 20 to 25 openings this year in total. Despite our size, we retain a ‘challenger brand’ entrepreneurial spirit.”

Pure Gym was founded in 2008. Members sign up online and pay on average under £20 a month, with no contractual commitment. Most gyms are open 24 hours a day.