Disposal
January 20 2004 - 10:01AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:4409U
Crown Sports PLC
20 January 2004
For Immediate Release 20 January 2004
CROWN SPORTS PLC
Disposal of health club in Leamington Spa
Crown Sports Plc ("Crown Sports" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the
disposal of its health club at Leamington Spa in a transaction valued at #1.3
million. The purchaser is The Leamington Property Partnership LLP.
Crown Sports has received #1.3 million in cash consideration for the health club
business including the freehold building.
In the last reported financial year, to 31st December 2002, the Leamington Spa
club, trading under the brand name Dragons, generated turnover of #0.8 million,
and made an operating profit before interest and tax of #0.03 million. The net
assets of the club at the financial year end were #0.8 million.
Following the disposal, Crown Sports consolidated profit and loss account for
the year ended 31st December 2004 will include an exceptional profit on disposal
of #0.4 million.
The strategy of Crown Sports plc during 2003 has been to focus on its core
health and fitness business and to dispose of other businesses. Following the
disposals of Crown Golf, The Winning Line and Crown Content last year, Crown
Sports became a pure health and fitness operator. The Leamington Spa club,
which is the only town centre operation within the portfolio does not fit within
the current location profile for the Dragons Group.
The net proceeds of the disposal of the Leamington Spa club will amount to
approximately #1.25 million, and will be applied in the repayment of bank
borrowings.
Commenting on the disposal of the Leamington Spa club, Ray Pierce, Chairman of
Crown Sports said; "The sale of the Leamington Spa club, that represents a
return of 16 times earnings of the club before interest, taxation, depreciation
and amortisation, enables us to realise significant value that will be applied
to further improve our debt position."
Enquiries:
Crown Sports Ray Pierce Chairman 020 8662 4907
Martyn Grealey Chief Executive 07967 477 413
Buchanan Communications Mark Edwards 020 7466 5000
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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