Just three months after opening its doors, David Lloyd Clubs’ investment in a new health and wellbeing club in Herne Bay is already paying dividends for the local area.
The opening of the state-of-the-art Club reflects strong confidence in the town and the wider Canterbury district, responding to a clear demand for high-quality fitness, leisure and family facilities. Early demand for membership and strong sign-up numbers suggest that that confidence was well-placed.
Stuart Caswell, New Club Acquisitions Director at David Lloyd Leisure, oversees the expansion of the brand across the UK and Europe. “My role is to research and secure locations for new Club build projects, and to identify existing facilities to bring into the David Lloyd Clubs group,” he explains. “We currently have 105 Clubs across the UK and 32 across mainland Europe, with ambitious plans to expand further in 2026.”
While David Lloyd Clubs already had a strong presence across Greater London and north Kent, the business was keen open a new landmark club in the south east. “We were searching for opportunities to expand deeper into the county, reaching new members in rural and coastal areas,” Stuart says.
Kent’s established sporting culture made it a natural fit. “Kent is known to be an active county with a keen interest in sport and fitness, so we felt this presented an exciting opportunity to bring a brand-new Club into the area.”
Why Herne Bay stood out
Herne Bay quickly emerged a location with the right mix of community, accessibility and long-term potential. “It’s a thriving community of families and businesses” says Stuart. Practical considerations were important, with the site benefitting from easy access to the A299, with strong connections to surrounding towns and villages.
Established investment was already taking place in the area. “We were attracted by the level of new housing nearby, which will help the Club continue to grow over time. We identified a clear gap in the market for our health, fitness and wellness offer. David Lloyd Clubs provide a space for the whole family and help members live better.”
A natural home at Altira Park
Altira Park was identified early on as the right fit. “We were primarily looking at Altira Park as we already have links with the developer, having worked together in Rugby and St Neots,” Stuart explains. Its mixed-use setting aligned well with the David Lloyd model.
“Altira Park offers excellent proximity to other businesses and local professionals, as well as the space we need to deliver our full range of indoor and outdoor facilities, along with car parking,” he adds. “It’s well placed on the edge of town and works for members travelling from further afield.”
Strong Early Demand
Interest in the Herne Bay Club was high from the very start. “We were overwhelmed with interest throughout the 18-month development, with hundreds of members signing up months before opening,” says Stuart. More than 200 founding members attended a preview event in November, travelling from Herne Bay, Canterbury, and across East Kent.
Since opening its doors in December, the Club has attracted people of all ages – from families and young professionals to older members. Its facilities are extensive, including a large state-of-the-art gym with over 100 stations, heated indoor and outdoor pools, racquet sports courts, group exercise studios offering a variety of Signature classes, and a luxury Spa Retreat.
“We offer something for all ages and abilities,” Stuart adds. Beyond fitness, the Club provides social and work spaces, including a Clubroom for relaxing and dining, and a Business Lounge for those seeking an alternative to working from home.
Families, in particular, have embraced the Club. Swimming and tennis coaching, children’s classes covering everything from sports to arts and crafts, teen-friendly spa sessions, and a supervised creche have all proven extremely popular with members.
Playing a role in regeneration
David Lloyd Leisure views its investment as part of a broader positive story for Herne Bay. “As Europe’s leading premium health and wellness group, we feel the David Lloyd Clubs brand is a fantastic addition to the town,” Stuart says. “We hope our confidence in Herne Bay will encourage other high-quality businesses to invest here as well.”
The Club has already begun engaging locally, from organising beach litter picks to supporting community radio station Cabin FM, reflecting a desire to be an active part of the town rather than simply located within it.
Looking ahead
Herne Bay is part of David Lloyd Leisure’s wider expansion across Kent. A new Club is set to open in Ashford, with further opportunities around Canterbury, and the company has announced the takeover of the Avenue Tennis site in Gillingham. By 2027, six Clubs are expected to be operating across the county.
For David Lloyd Leisure, the Herne Bay Club represents both a sound investment and a long-term commitment to the health, wellbeing and growth of communities across the Canterbury district.