GRACIE BARRA GILLINGHAM LTD

Executive Summary

Gracie Barra Gillingham Ltd is a micro-entity niche sports club specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with modest financial resources and a lean operational structure. While it benefits from strong brand recognition within a growing sector, the company currently operates at a small scale with limited financial leverage compared to typical industry players. To strengthen its competitive position, it must capitalize on sector growth trends while managing cash flow and expanding its membership base.

GRACIE BARRA GILLINGHAM LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13802059

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 20:41 UTC

1. Industry Classification: Gracie Barra Gillingham Ltd operates primarily within the "Other sports activities" (SIC 93199) and "Activities of sport clubs" (SIC 93120) sectors, complemented by "Retail sale of sports goods, fishing gear, camping goods, boats and bicycles" (SIC 47640). These classifications position the company in the niche segment of sports services focusing on martial arts (specifically Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and associated retail goods. This sector is characterized by community-based membership models, personalized coaching, and ancillary retail sales, often driven by local engagement and brand affiliation.

2. Relative Performance: As a micro-entity, Gracie Barra Gillingham Ltd’s financials reflect a very small-scale operation with limited assets (£6,012 fixed assets) and modest current assets (£6,162), offset by high current liabilities of £24,266. Net assets stand at £9,642, indicating a low capital base typical for start-up or early-stage sports clubs. The average employee count of 1 (down from 2 the prior year) aligns with the micro-entity classification and suggests lean operations with possibly outsourced or part-time coaching staff. Compared to industry norms, where established sports clubs often scale to medium-sized enterprises with multiple full-time staff and larger community membership generating higher turnover, this company is at an embryonic stage with constrained financial leverage.

3. Sector Trends Impact: The sports club sector, particularly niche martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has seen growth driven by rising interest in fitness, self-defense, and community engagement post-pandemic. However, the sector also faces challenges such as fluctuating membership levels due to economic uncertainty and competition from digital/online training platforms. Retail sales of sports goods have been impacted by supply chain issues and shifts toward e-commerce, affecting small local retailers. Gracie Barra Gillingham Ltd’s dual focus on physical training and retail means it must navigate these dynamics carefully. The company's small size may limit its ability to absorb market shocks but also allows agility to adapt to local market preferences.

4. Competitive Positioning: Gracie Barra Gillingham Ltd operates as a niche player within the local sports club ecosystem, leveraging the globally recognized Gracie Barra brand in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Its strengths include brand affiliation, specialist coaching, and a community-centric approach. However, its financial position with high current liabilities relative to assets and minimal staffing suggests vulnerability in scalability and cash flow management, which are critical to sustaining operations in a competitive market. Compared with typical competitors in the sector—who often invest in larger facilities, staff, and marketing—the company is in an early growth phase and must focus on member acquisition, retention, and effective cost control to improve its competitive stance.