UK - Grant Thornton handles the administration of Esporta

Grant Thornton has been appointed to handle the administration of Esporta, the gym chain acquired by the Halabi family from Duke Street Capital in 2006. Private equity firms are queuing up to buy the asset. Potential buyers include MidOcean Partners, which owns LA Fitness and David Lloyd Leisure, a rival operator which underwent its own £925m buyout last week with backing from Bank of Scotland Integrated Finance and London & Regional Properties. Blackstone and CVC are also reported to be interested in Esporta.