Entrepreneur Alison Cork MBE is excited have launched her new food business LEKA LEKA, an indulgent but nutritionally smart snack online into Virgin Active gyms across the UK. This sugar-free, high-fibre, low-calorie chocolate-covered date ball will be available in Kauai, the health food cafe, located in many Virgin Active gyms and online from May 2026.

Available in three flavours – Hazelnut, Pistachio Rose and Raspberry – this plant based snack is designed to meet growing demand for food that is genuinely healthy and supports an active lifestyle without sacrificing pleasure. Alison hopes to inspire Virgin customers to introduce healthier snacks into their diets.

The launch began not in a boardroom, but on the gym floor, after a tip off that Sir Richard was in Virgin Active filming. Cork sprinted across London to the gym and took her chance to approach Richard Branson. In true entrepreneurial style, he gave her one minute to present her product. She pitched him the idea for a genuinely delicious, guilt-free gym snack. The pitch worked and the product will officially land at Virgin Active Gyms with a Kauai, nationwide this Spring.

“I wanted to create something that was both truly delicious and nutritious, says Cork. “Gyms are full of people trying to make healthier choices, but too often the snack food options are actually ultra processed and very high in sugar. We aim to change that. LEKA LEKA balls are made with just a few premium ingredients such as dates, seeds, nuts, oats, chicory root and chocolate, but are low calorie, high in fibre and have NO added sugar, artificial flavours or preservatives.”

Cork continued “LEKA LEKA is perfect post work out, on the go or when travelling. Each pack contains 3 balls to see you through the day or to share with friends and family.’

The LEKA LEKA recipe originally featured in Corks latest book, ‘Fit & Fabulous over 50’, published last year.  Being a serial entrepreneur, when the response to this particular snack was so overwhelmingly positive, she decided that maybe this was the time to launch a new food business. When the opportunity arose to pitch Richard Branson, she seized it with both hands. And LEKA ELKA was born. Alison has always had an interest in food having originally been a food critic for BBC Radio London in the 90’s. Researching recipes for her book gave her a new insight into what actually constitutes a healthy snack.

A long-standing entrepreneur, Cork is also known for her work supporting women to start and scale businesses. In 2023, she was awarded an MBE for services to female entrepreneurship, and continues to mentor female founders across the UK. Launching a new food brand at 62, she says, was a deliberate act, commenting,

“We don’t talk enough about starting new things later in life. LEKA LEKA is proof that experience, confidence and a bit of nerve are powerful ingredients.”

Virgin Active selected the product as part of its ongoing commitment to member wellbeing and challenger-brand innovation.

The snack will be available from May in Virgin Active gyms with a Kauai, with sampling events and founder appearances rolling out throughout May and beyond.