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Permira plans £700m bid for upmarket gyms operator Third Space

Created at 4 Aug · 1:36 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Private equity firm Permira is reportedly preparing a bid of around £700 million for Third Space, a premium gym operator with 15 clubs across London. The company's owner, KSL Capital Partners, is planning an auction sale for the fitness group.

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Key Numbers

£700mvaluation for Third Space
15Third Space clubs in London
26.6xEV/adj. EBITDA multiple (2024)
£99mThird Space turnover (FY24)
43%YoY turnover growth (FY24)
£26.3mThird Space adj. EBITDA (FY24)

Who's Involved

Permira
private equity firm plotting £700m bid
Third Space
upmarket gyms operator
KSL Capital Partners
owner planning auction sale
Goldman Sachs
potential adviser for the sale
Oaknorth
debt finance provider in 2021
Searchlight Capital
debt finance provider in 2021

↳ Why This Matters

The potential acquisition of Third Space by Permira highlights continued investor interest in the premium fitness sector, even amidst broader economic uncertainties. The sale process, led by KSL Capital Partners, could set a new benchmark for valuations in the industry.

Key facts

  • Permira is reportedly preparing a £700 million bid for Third Space.
  • Third Space operates 15 premium clubs across London.
  • KSL Capital Partners, the current owner, is planning an auction sale.
  • The sale could value the business at around £700 million.
  • Third Space reported a turnover of £99 million in FY24.
  • The company's adjusted EBITDA for FY24 was £26.3 million.

Private equity firm Permira is reportedly preparing a bid of approximately £700 million to acquire Third Space, a premium health and fitness group operating 15 clubs across London. The company's current owner, KSL Capital Partners, is planning to conduct an auction sale for the business, with Goldman Sachs potentially advising on the process.

Third Space was acquired by KSL in 2021 and has experienced strong demand for its memberships, with many clubs reportedly having waiting lists. In fiscal year 2024, the company reported a turnover of £99 million, representing a 43% year-over-year increase, and an adjusted EBITDA of £26.3 million. In 2021, Third Space secured £75 million in debt financing from Oaknorth and Searchlight Capital to support its expansion efforts. The potential sale values the business at around £700 million, corresponding to an enterprise value to adjusted EBITDA multiple of 26.6x for 2024.

Frequently asked questions

Third Space is currently owned by KSL Capital Partners, which acquired the company in 2021.

Third Space is a premium health and fitness group that operates 15 clubs across London.

The sale is expected to value the business at around £700 million.

Permira is reportedly preparing a bid, and Goldman Sachs may advise on the sale process.

What Happens Next

01Permira is expected to submit a bid for Third Space.
02KSL Capital Partners will proceed with an auction sale process.
03Goldman Sachs may be appointed as an advisor for the sale.

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Cadence

How It Developed

KSL Capital Partners is planning an auction sale for Third Space.
The fitness group is valued at approximately £700 million.
Permira is reportedly preparing a bid for Third Space.
Goldman Sachs may advise on the sale process.

Sources

T1
Permira plots £700m bid for upmarket gyms operator Third SpaceSky News · Business
T2
KSL Capital Partners prepares auction sale of fitness group Third Space ...mainsights.io
T2
Premium gyms group Third Space limbers up for £700m salenews.sky.com

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