Holmes Place may have a relatively small market capitalisation, but its name will be familiar to most bankers working in the City of London. Holmes Place's five health clubs in London's financial district are where corporate financiers, brokers and fund managers rub shoulders as they run, swim or climb off executive stress and desk spread. And now that the health club group is continuing to spread its wings outside the UK, with nearly 70 clubs across Europe, Holmes Place is becoming just as familiar a name to bankers and investors on the Continent.

Holmes Place has a healthy relationship with the financial world in more ways than this. In spite of the company's high gearing - 84% at June 30, 2001 - and some concerns about the immediate future, analysts are positive on the company's prospects.