LGV to sell Club Company

Private-equity group Legal and General Ventures (LGV) is reportedly selling The Club Company (TCC) for an estimated £100m following several unsolicited approaches.

It is believed that Esporta and Dublin-based Merrion Property Group comprise two of four bidders for TCC.

TCC – formerly known as Clubhaus – operates golf clubs with integrated health and fitness facilities.

The company currently owns 11 clubs in England, of which nine have been developed into country clubs such as Nizels in Kent.

The group is set to relaunch Benton Hall in Witham, Essex, as an all-round golf and health and fitness club, thanks to a £4.5m upgrade.

The new Health Club at Benton Hall features a 4,000sq ft (370sq m) Technogym fitness suite, two studios and an 18m swimming pool offering designated lane swimming, lessons and aqua aerobics classes. Other facilities include a steamroom, sauna and spa pool.

The new club house includes a crèche, a new Pulse Café and The Club Bar, while the existing 27-hole golf course has also been improved.

James Gathercole, general manager, said: “The addition of the health and fitness facilities at Benton Hall will leave it as one of the finest golf and country clubs in the region and will provide a complete way of life for all the family to enjoy.”

LGV bought Clubhaus in April 2004 for £56m. Details: www.theclubcompany.com