Trading Statement

Esporta PLC
16 October 2001



ESPORTA plc

TRADING UPDATE AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES


Esporta plc ('Esporta') today provides an update on its trading for the year
to 31st December 2001.

Revenue in the third quarter is more than 30% above last year, and in
established clubs is just over 5% ahead. Retention is continuing to show
progress (over 68% of those who were members of Esporta twelve months ago have
been retained as members of Esporta today), but the level of new joiners
(particularly in immature and new clubs, but also affecting established clubs)
has been disappointing. As a result, at current rates of membership growth,
revenue for the year is expected to fall between 3% and 4% short of
expectations. Due to the high operational gearing of our business this
shortfall will directly affect profits, resulting in them being significantly
below expectations.

In addition, the earlier opening than previously anticipated of our club in
Wandsworth, together with a change in accounting practice regarding the
recognition of pre-opening costs, means that some £600k of costs previously
expected to fall in 2002 will be recognised in 2001.

Esporta today also announces that it is changing its accounting policy in
respect of interest capitalisation. A proportion of interest incurred
financing new units during their construction has historically been
capitalised and depreciated over the life of the underlying asset. Our policy
is now changed to write-off all interest as incurred. As a result, profit
before interest for 2000 will be restated at £13.2m, £200k above that
previously reported, and profits after interest will be restated at £10.7m, a
reduction of £300k.

Enquiries:

Graham Coles, Chief Executive 0118 912 3503

Michael Ball, Finance Director 0118 912 3504

William Cullum, Brunswick 0207 404 5959