Easyjet founder says to open budget gyms

British tycoon Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of no-frills airline easyJet, said Wednesday that he planned to open budget gyms across Europe by taking advantage of low property prices.

Stelios said that his private investment vehicle easyGroup would start a new venture, easyGym, in partnership with private-equity backed Fore Fitness.

"Together with Fore Fitness and their investors we will aim to offer value for money in this sector," Stelios said in a statement.

Membership would cost about 15 pounds (18 euros, 23 dollars) a month and users would be able to sign up for monthly contracts as opposed to agreements that tie them down for at least one year.

The first easyGym was expected to open early next year, while the brand would shun swimming pools and saunas.

"This is not the first time the idea of a gym chain came up, but the stars are aligned now, because the real estate market is so soft," Stelios added.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

It’s National Work From Home Day today

Plus live in a folly tower and Towcester growth

Where have property prices been reduced most in the UK?

Plus how much you need to earn to rent in London, and new homes figures

Is Rushcliffe the best place for families to live?

Plus where The Apprentices live, house price growth outside London, and househunter numbers

       

ES Rentals

    Independent Dating
    and  

    By clicking 'Search' you
    are agreeing to our
    Terms of Use.

    iJobs Job Widget
    iJobs General

    PHP/ Drupal Developer - £35k - WC

    £30000 - £40000 per annum + BENS: Progressive Recruitment: Drupal Developer A ...

    C# WEB DEVELOPER

    £45000 - £50000 per annum + bens: Progressive Recruitment: C# WEB DEVELOPER Le...

    WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) - North East - 6 Months

    £240 - £260 per day: Progressive Recruitment: WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) North...

    KS2 PPA teacher

    £85 - £120 per day: Randstad Education Cheshire: KS2 teacher needed to do PPA ...

    Day In a Page

    The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

    The price of pacifism

    From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
    'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

    Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

    To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
    Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

    Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

    Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
    Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
    The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

    The real thing?

    Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
    Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

    Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

    The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
    Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

    Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

    Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
    Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

    Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

    Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
    Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

    Why bitters are back on the bar

    A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
    The 10 Best barbecues

    The 10 Best barbecues

    Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
    Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

    Style icon calls time on his long retirement

    David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
    Steve Harper: My darkest times

    Steve Harper: My darkest times

    As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
    Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

    The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

    After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.