David Lloyd Clubs / Virgin Active gyms merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by David Lloyd Clubs Limited of 16 Virgin Active Limited gyms.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 17 March 2017
• Last updated: 13 June 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Recreation and leisure
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu
• Opened: 17 March 2017
• Closed: 13 June 2017

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
13 June 2017	Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
26 May 2017	Decision published
19 May 2017	Decision announced
21 March 2017	Launch of merger inquiry
17 to 31 March 2017	Invitation to comment

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

13 June 2017: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by David Lloyd Clubs Limited of 16 Virgin Active Limited gyms. A copy of the undertakings and the decision are available below.

• UIL acceptance decision (13.6.17)
• Final undertakings (13.6.17)
• News story: CMA accepts gyms merger undertakings (13.6.17)

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: now closed

26 May 2017: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the anticipated acquisition by David Lloyd Clubs Limited of 16 Virgin Active Limited gyms.

• Notice of consultation (26.5.17)
• Proposed undertakings (26.5.17)
• News story: CMA consults over gyms merger undertakings (26.5.17)

CMA to consider undertakings offered

26 May 2017: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by David Lloyd Clubs Limited, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002. A copy of the decision is available below.

• Decision that undertakings might be accepted (26.5.17)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

19 May 2017: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (26.5.17)
• News story: Gyms merger has chance to avoid in-depth investigation (19.5.17)

Launch of merger inquiry

21 March 2017: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (21.3.17)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

17 March 2017: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

Daniella Sinobad
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

daniella.sinobad@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 17 March 2017
Last updated 13 June 2017 + show all updates

1. 13 June 2017

   Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted.

2. 26 May 2017

   Full text decision published, CMA to consider undertakings announcement added, decision that undertakings might be accepted published, and undertakings in lieu of reference consultation launched.

3. 19 May 2017

   Decision announced: reference unless undertakings accepted.

4. 21 March 2017

   Launch of CMA merger inquiry.

5. 17 March 2017

   First published.