A TRIO of Hampshire health clubs look set to change hands as part of a deal for the David Lloyd Leisure chain worth nearly £1 billion.
The £925m deal with the billionaire Livingstone brothers represents excellent business for leisure giant Whitbread, which bought the chain for just £185m in 1995.
Branches in Southampton, Ringwood and Port Solent are included in the deal for the David Lloyd brand, set up by the former British tennis player of the same name.
The Livingstones are expected to split it into two companies, a property firm and an operating company.
Widespread speculation suggested Whitbread, which owns Costa Coffee and Premier Travel, sold the £237m turnover business to concentrate on a £680m bid for the Jurys Inn hotel chain, which has a branch in Southampton city centre.
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