Among the highlights for the quarter were turnover up 61% to £7.3 million (1999: £4.5 million) and gross profit up 63% to £4.1 million. The number of members increased by 66% to 29,045 (1999:17,500), representing a like-for-like increase of 43%. The number of rounds of golf played on group courses increased by 68% to 141,000 (1999: 84,000), representing a like-for-like increase of 38%.
Clubhaus opened a new 28,000 sq ft health club at Nizels in Kent in April 2000 and new memberships sold this year at Nizels are now over 2,200. A new health and fitness club opened at Mapledurham golf club at the beginning of May. New memberships sold this year are now over 1,100. The final stage of the £3.0 million refurbishment of The Tytherington was completed during May 2000 with the opening of the new 5,000 sq.ft gym and new changing facilities, with membership now over 4,000.
Commenting on the results and the outlook Robert Bourne, Chairman of Clubhaus,said, “The start of the year has seen an encouraging performance across the Group in all areas, which will serve as a solid base as we enter our busy season. Clubhaus launched two new health & fitness clubs this year in addition to the major refurbishment of The Tytherington’s health facilities. The fourth club to be opened this year will be at Meyrick Park, which is scheduled to open in July, where pre-sales of memberships began two weeks ago and have been very encouraging. The success of our twin golf/health & fitness concept helps ensure that our clubs are used 365 days a year and has allowed membership numbers to grow strongly. In addition golf membership has increased across all categories in the first quarter along with a strong usage of the clubs.”