David Lloyd serves up an ace

THE David Lloyd Leisure racquet club chain has served up an ace for Whitbread. Strong sales growth at the fitness brand made it the star performer in an 'encouraging' first half for the group.

Whitbread's pub restaurants performed strongly with the revamped Beefeater chain leading the way. Gone is the black, white and red decor in favour of US-style neon signs and a tarted-up steaks menu. More importantly, 51 poorly-performing sites have been sold, leaving about 150.

Though the tourism slump hurt its Marriott hotels and Travel Inn chain, chief executive David Thomas is 'confident' of Whitbread's potential to grow.