
	Where results make sense

Topic: Virgin Active

	Virgin
		Virgin is planning to raise at least £250m in a flotation of 40% of its Virgin Mobile operation, in order to fund the global expansion of a number of Virgin businesses.
		Virgin is said to considering plans to move into the telecoms sector later this year, concentrating on technology that enables people to view TV pictures and gain access to the internet via their phone.
		Virgin Group is planning to float a number of its businesses on the stock market over the next two years to enable it to continue to invest in start-up ventures, and likely candidates for flotation include the airline, the travel business, and the cinema business.
	www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk /virginaa.htm (4054 words)

	Virgin Active gives customers the last word
		Virgin Active is a major success story: it entered the fiercely competitive local health and fitness industry a few years back, rapidly growing to 77 gyms and fitness centres nationwide.
		As Virgin Active grew, it needed to streamline and tighten up its call centre, so it brought in Enterprise Connection to help.
		This allows Virgin Active to monitor the quality of the interactions, but more importantly, creates an archive of conversations to ensure that customer disputes or queries can be resolved quickly and unequivocally, and that mandates for debit orders for membership fees can be taken verbally, saving customers time and inconvenience.
	www.itweb.co.za /office/econnect/0409160845.htm (599 words)

	Scotsman.com Business - Virgin - Virgin looks to muscle in with £200m US gym deal (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		VIRGIN Active, the fitness clubs arm of Sir Richard Branson's sprawling business empire, could quadruple in size if it decides to press ahead with a bid for the biggest chain of gyms in the United States.
		Virgin is considering a bid for Bally Total Fitness, which operates around 400 clubs, as part of the British group's effort to expand its own fitness brand across the globe.
		Virgin gained control of Virgin Active last year when is paid Bridgepoint Capital around £130m for a 55 per cent stake in the operation.
	business.scotsman.com /topics.cfm?tid=86&id=450932006 (515 words)

	Virgin Active gets fit new network from Enterprise Connection
		Virgin Active, one of SA's leading health and fitness companies with a national network of 77 gyms and fitness centres, needed to be more agile, able to move faster in a hugely competitive market.
		The immediate problem that Virgin Active was facing was speed and reliability on the main backbone network at its head office in Kenilworth, Cape Town.
		Virgin Active was also looking to implement a centralised call centre, and wanted to use a modern converged voice and data network that could support voice switching functions.
	www.itweb.co.za /office/econnect/0407230837.htm (679 words)

	Moneyweb: South Africa's leading source for independent investment information (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Virgin Active, South Africa's premier health, wellness and fitness group, today announced its Road to Wellness expansion plans, which includes a total of 15 - 20 new builds and a number of refurbishments over the next three years.
		Furthermore, Virgin Active has identified Cape Town's northern suburbs as one of the biggest potential growth areas and said that it is undertaking feasibility studies and investigating viable sites for the opening of further clubs in the region.
		Virgin Active is now in the position to target a previously untapped segment namely the youth market through Club-V. The goal of Club-V is to reinforce healthy habits from a young age, to assist in reducing child obesity and associated risks such as coronary heart diseases and the onset of diabetes.
	www.moneyweb.co.za /business_today/444185.htm (446 words)

	BBC News \| BUSINESS \| Virgin Atlantic cuts 1,200 jobs
		Virgin Atlantic is to cut 1,200 jobs in response to the aftermath of last week's terror attacks on America.
		Virgin said it will use smaller planes on some routes as a result of the "long-term effect" of the attacks.
		Virgin Active, the group's leisure and health club business, is creating 700 new jobs and will give priority to Virgin Atlantic staff, the company said.
	news.bbc.co.uk /1/hi/business/1549068.stm (628 words)

	Virgin Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		The Virgin Group is the group of companies using the Virgin brand of British celebrity business tycoon Sir Richard Branson.
		To understand the Virgin structure, it is best to think of Sir Richard as a venture capitalist who unites all of his differing ventures under a single brand name.
		Virgin Active - a health club chain in South Africa, Italy and the United Kingdom
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Virgin_Group (784 words)

	Virgin Group eyes Bally Total Fitness: NY Post - Boston.com
		NEW YORK (Reuters) - British billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group is mulling an acquisition of Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp. as a way to expand the Virgin fitness club business in the United States, the New York Post reported on Tuesday.
		Executives at Virgin's health club unit, Virgin Active, have been examining Bally's financial reports and received its proprietary financial information, known as a "book," put together by JPMorgan and The Blackstone Group, the paper said, citing anonymous sources.
		Virgin Active is part of Branson's Virgin Group, which includes 51 percent of the Virgin Atlantic airline, financial services, a music retail chain and Internet and mobile phone services.
	www.boston.com /business/articles/2006/03/21/virgin_group_eyes_bally_total_fitness_ny_post (422 words)

	PE-Express
		THE wait is over for fitness enthusiasts across South Africa as Virgin Active, the health and fitness business owned by Richard Branson, launches its new marketing campaign here.
		According to a media statement from Virgin Active UK on Tuesday, existing H&R Club memberships will remain valid until March 31, after which members can convert to Virgin Active memberships.
		Virgin Active will have two membership categories, Premier and Club, and members will be encouraged to sign up for a 12-month contract.
	www.news24.com /Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0,,503_967482~E,00.html (257 words)

	Guardian \| Branson searches for second £10,000-a-day retreat
		Sir Richard Branson is selling a controlling stake in his Virgin Active health club business - his fifth big deal in a 12-month period during which he has raised £270m.
		Sir Richard is allowing the venture capitalists to use the Virgin Active brand in Europe, north America and at three new health clubs that are opening in London this year - in Islington, Acton and Wandsworth.
		Virgin Active will continue to be managed by Frank Reed and Matthew Bucknall, who have worked with Bridgepoint in the past.
	www.guardian.co.uk /print/0,3858,4362370-103676,00.html (383 words)

	Scotsman.com Business - Virgin (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		SIR Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways, which has triggered a cartel inquiry into rival British Airways, benefited from an increase in business travellers in its latest trading year to double profits.
		TOM ALEXANDER, the founder and chief executive of Virgin Mobile, is to leave the firm following its acquisition by NTL, which is set to be completed on July 4.
		VIRGIN Atlantic is to launch flights from Scotland next year in what is seen as a first step in...
	business.scotsman.com /topics.cfm?tid=86 (442 words)

	Broadway Plaza \| Birminghams Entertainment Hub (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Virgin Active is opening its doors to customers at the popular Birmingham entertainment centre, and will offer local residents and City workers a fully refurbished health club and gym.
		Virgin Active at Broadway Plaza will offer a 200-piece gym including cardio equipment and free weights, spinning and exercise studios in addition to a swimming pool and spa.
		Virgin Active has specifically chosen the 3,938 m2 (42,392 ft 2) unit at Broadway Plaza for its central Birmingham address because it provides a convenient and accessible destination for all ages and lifestyles.
	www.broadway-plaza.com /news_more.asp?id=29 (362 words)

	Sunday Times - companies - 04 Feb 2001 (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		South Africa is no virgin territory for Ian Burroughs, the operations director in charge of overseeing the tricky transfor mation of the Health & Racquet clubs into Virgin Active lifestyle centres.
		The interest shown by the daredevil Virgin boss, Sir Richard Branson, generated a lot of hype, especially amid the wave of negative sentiment among foreign investors.
		The distinctive, bold Virgin image should soon blow through these corridors, to fit in with Virgin Active's pledge to turn the gyms into lifestyle centres that include state-of-the-art equipment, beauty treatments, libraries, Internet cafés and fun activities.
	www.suntimes.co.za /2001/02/04/business/companies/comp10.htm (726 words)

	Financial Mail - HELP AT THE END OF A TELEPHONE LINE
		With 77 gyms and fitness centres around the country, Virgin Active discovered it needed a new system for its call centre that would enable members to sign up and change details over the telephone.
		Virgin Active wanted a clear understanding of the quality of information being given to its customers by its sales agents, so it needed a system that was able to record all telephone calls between customers and agents.
		This led to Virgin Active late last year choosing Enterprise Connection to implement the Datatex telephony system, which is well suited to its needs.
	free.financialmail.co.za /report05/black05/fblack.htm (472 words)

	Virgin Active jobs (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Virgin Active does not represent a kind of person, it is not judgemental, nor does it put pressure on people.
		Virgin Active always seeks to break down barriers and so it champions a no-pressure, no-judgements environment where everyone can feel comfortable, whatever their shape, size or level of fitness, and the amazingly low prices ensure that the facilities are widely accessible.
		Plus Club Active has a social events calendar that makes you wonder what you've been doing with your life so far, with anything from rip roaring parties to novel and handy in-house demos and adventure thrills to culture vulture trips.
	www.leisurejobs.com /templates/virginactive/about.php?containerid=59 (250 words)

	NEW BALLY-HOO By ZACHERY KOUWE - New York Post Online Edition: Business (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Virgin Group, run by flamboyant British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, is eyeing a takeover of health club chain Bally Total Fitness as a way to grow its Virgin fitness club business in the U.S., sources told The Post.
		Virgin Active is part of Branson's giant Virgin Group, which includes 51 percent of the Virgin Atlantic airline, financial services, a music retail chain and Internet and mobile-phone services.
		The buyback was part of a plan to expand Virgin Active in the U.S. and other countries ahead of a future initial public offering.
	www.nypost.com /business/65650.htm (488 words)

	business.iafrica.com \| business news Virgin Active reorganises structure
		Virgin Active South Africa has reorganised its capital structure in order to introduce more funds and financial flexibility, Business Day reports.
		The bank’s private equity arm was one of the original investors in Virgin Active when it was formed three years ago.
		Virgin Active Group, its UK parent, will hold 87 percent, and minority shareholder Halewood will hold a five percent stake.
	business.iafrica.com /news/265670.htm (211 words)

	IHRSA - Apr 2005 CBE Virgin
		Virgin Active, which launched Virgin Active Italia last year, rang in the New Year with the acquistion of three Esporta clubs and the opening of two new clubs in Turin and Milan, Italy.
		Sir Richard Branson, the charismatic head of the Virgin empire, was on hand for the Milan opening on 26 January.
		Branson's 350 companies leave him with no time for the day-to-day operations of Virgin Active, which was launched in the UK in 1999 by former LivingWell UK directors Matthew Bucknall and Frank Reed.
	cms.ihrsa.org /IHRSA/viewPage.cfm?pageId=2225 (370 words)

	Business Report - Chris Rolfe gets active to expand Virgin's gyms in SA (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Richard Branson's Virgin Management, which sold 54 percent of its Virgin Active Group of health clubs to a UK company, Bridgeport Capital, to help Virgin Atlantic Airways' cash flow after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US in 2001, has bought it back for an undisclosed sum.
		But the valuation of the whole Virgin Active group was £540 million (R5.7 billion) and we had to buy back 54 percent.
		Virgin Active is supported by some medical aid companies, which offer their members subsidised membership of your clubs.
	www.busrep.co.za /index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=3063857 (1832 words)

	£3.8n Virgin Active Fit Out Contract: News from Dean and Bowes
		Virgin Active's latest health and fitness club in Thundersley, Essex, is open for business, following a £3.8 million fit out by national refurbishment specialist, Dean and Bowes.
		Virgin Active represents one of our most successful partnerships and the completion of work at Thundersley follows our recent hand over of Virgin's 4 million health and fitness centre in Sheffield."
		George Shields, Development Director from Virgin Active, commented: "The last few months have represented a critical time for Virgin with the roll out of several high profile schemes in the UK.
	www.buildingtalk.com /news/dea/dea100.html (458 words)

	Virgin Active (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Virgin Active is a member of IHRSA (International Health and Racquet Sports Association) and each health club has highly-trained consultants that are just waiting to help you realise your personal exercise and wellness goals.
		You may not cancel your Virgin Active membership within the first 12 months of the contract, thereafter 90 (Ninety) days notice must be given to the Relode call centre.
		Virgin Active increases monthly membership fees on the 1st January.
	www.relode.co.za /virginactive.aspx?Action=Active (368 words)

	Health Spas and Fitness Clubs - Virgin Gym
		There is no typical Virgin gym user, just as there isn’t a typical group of people who like to use health spas.
		Virgin Active - More than your regular health and fitness club, Virgin Active has the latest in fitness, classes, pools, pampering, leisure time and tons of fun for little ones — check out these "Life Centres".
		Virgin Active lifestyle centres are total health and fitness clubs offering everything from swimming pools to health spas and gyms.
	www.virgin.com /uk/lifestyle/health-spas.asp (245 words)

	business.iafrica.com \| business news Virgin Active to launch elite clubs
		Heath club chain Virgin Active is to launch a new generation of clubs which cater for business people, the company announced.
		They are “aimed at business people who want to go to a club and be able to get on a treadmill, have documents faxed to them, be provided with towels and have access to the internet," Virgin Active SA managing director Ian Burroughs said in Business Report.
		Virgin Active also expects these clubs to relieve the pressure on some of their present clubs, which see up to 75 000 people through their doors each day, the paper reported.
	business.iafrica.com /news/177642.htm (258 words)

	GMax - Bodybuilding & training: Comparing Virgin Active Classic Melrose Arch & Planet Fitness Wanderers (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Generally the same equipment as Virgin Classic, but with one particular extra piece of ab muscle equipment that is fantastic, which VC does not have.
		Virgin Classic is by far the better gyming experience, but it comes at an additional cost.
		One thing is for sure, comparing Virgin Classic (the flagship branch of Virgin Active) and Planet Fitness Wanderers (their flagship) is like comparing Golden Delicious and Granny Smith, both really good and assured of keeping the doctor away, but the one just tastes so much sweeter.
	www.gmax.co.za /feel/body/train/041022-gymvgym.html (1367 words)

	Branson To Muscle In On U.S. Gym Chain? - Forbes.com (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-11)
		Virgin apparently sees Bally as a way to grow its wholly-owned fitness club business across the pond.
		Virgin Active has 25 clubs in the U.K., 77 clubs in South Africa, 12 clubs in continental Europe, and over 700,000 members worldwide.
		Virgin bought back Bridgepoint Capital's 55% stake in Virgin Active for £135 million ($236 million) last year.
	www.forbes.com /work/2006/03/22/branson-billionaires-bally-cx_cn_0322autofacescan03.html?partner=rss (322 words)

	Branson Buys Back Rest of Virgin Active Health Club Chain
		The Virgin brand, probably most noted for its music and posh airline, entered into the health club arena under the Virgin Active brand in 1999.
		Virgin Active has doubled its number of UK clubs to 25 since Bridgepoint bought into the business three years ago for £110 million.
		A spokesman for the Virgin Group said an IPO of Virgin Active was still a target for the business but that it was unlikely to take place until 2007.
	www.fitcommerce.com /Blueprint/Module/Desktop/Announcements/ViewAnnouncement.aspx?ItemID=917&mid=112&portalId=2&cid=112 (416 words)

	SABCnews.com - economy/business
		Virgin Active is pressing ahead with plans to develop gyms the company took over from the liquidated Health and Racquet Club.
		Richard Branson, chairperson of the Virgin Group, is currently in South Africa to support efforts to revitalise the clubs and to launch yet another Virgin product, bottled water from the Drakensberg.
		Responding to criticism that Virgin Active was not providing greater value since the take over, Branson said much of the money spent has been behind the scenes.
	www.sabcnews.com /economy/business/0,2172,14284,00.html (161 words)

	brandchannel.com \| Virgin Group Brands \| Brand Extension \| brands \| brand \| branding news
		Virgin is still a strong, recognizable brand, but much of its meaning has been diluted.
		Virgin Radio was sold to SMG and is, therefore, no longer part of the Virgin group.
		In other words, a high profile part of the Virgin brand is now controlled by a company that has nothing to do with Virgin at all, a situation that could leave Virgin open to difficulties down the road.
	www.brandchannel.com /features_profile.asp?pr_id=215 (1922 words)

Try your search on: Qwika (all wikis)