UK’s Virgin Active chain gears for regional entry

Matthew Bucknall, president and founder, said yesterday that there was more room to grow in this region after creating a strong presence in Bangkok and Singapore.
Under the six-year plan, there will be 20 new health clubs in Thailand with total investment of Bt5.2 billion, creating more than 1,500 jobs.
Virgin Active operates four clubs at Empire Tower, EmQuartier, CentralPlaza Westgate and the latest one in Siam Discovery.
The Bt325 million Siam Discovery outlet occupies 5,000 square metres. It is considered one of the largest clubs in Asia.
This luxurious fitness centre offers a broad range of facilities and highly innovative group exercises.
One at CentralFestival EastVille will start offering fitness facilities for kids in December, followed by four locations next year.
“New locations should be extended around its key ‘V-Triangle’ strategy, which consists of its three flagship clubs in main areas such as business districts, and residential and retail areas in the city,” he said.
Besides Thailand, the company is putting more weight on expansion in Singapore, which already has two locations at One Raffle Place and Marina One. By year-end, Tanjong Pagar Centre will have a club.
Unlike the expansion in Thailand, Virgin Active is looking for small-scale clubs in Singapore.
About Bt2.6 billion has been budgeted for 10 new branches in this island state under the six-year plan.
If the company could find the right business partner in China, people there would get the chance to experience international health clubs like in Thailand and Singapore.
Despite intense competition in the Thai market, it was not too late to enter, said Christian Mason, managing director of Virgin Active’s Southeast Asia region.
“Since our first club opened in Bangkok in 2014, all clubs have already reached breakeven point within six to nine operating months,” he said.