INDUSTRY NEWS

SPATA Membership For Mapei UK

As a well-known provider of systems for the construction of swimming pools, Mapei are delighted to have been accepted as members of SPATA, The Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association.

Founded in 1937 in Milan, Mapei is today one of the most important producers of adhesives and complementary products for installing all types of floor and wall and coating materials and is also specialised in other chemical products used in the building industry, such as waterproofing products, special mortars, admixtures for concrete, products for underground constructions and for the restoration of concrete and historical buildings.

With solutions from screed and render, through to concrete waterproofing admixtures, waterproofing membranes and an extensive range of tile adhesives, coloured grout and sealant, Mapei offer full swimming pool and leisure systems from substrate to finish, specialising in fast-track options. They have worked with contractors nationwide on an extensive portfolio of leisure projects.

To become a mem ber of SPATA is a privilege for Mapei UK, a subsidiary of MapeiGroup. In Britain, the company produces a wide range of their products at their Halesowen plant in the West Midlands and look forward to contributing to the association and working alongside fellow members. They have also recently confirmed they will exhibit again at SPATEX 2021.

Mapei UK Ltd | 0121 508 6970 | www.mapei.co.uk

Don’t Let Swimming Become Leisure’s ‘Forgotten Activity’

Swim England has pleaded with the Government to ensure swimming doesn’t become leisure’s ‘forgotten activity’ – after it was revealed in July that almost a third of public pools could remain closed for another six months.

Indoor pools across the country were allowed to reopen on Saturday 25 July – 128 days after they were forced to shut on Friday 20 March as part of the nationwide effort to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

However, less than 20% of local authority-owned facilities welcomed swimmers back into the water on reopening day – and many of those will have been at a reduced capacity.

New research also shows 30% of public pools may remain closed into 2021 due to the exceptional costs councils face to reopen facilities – coupled with the income lost during the lockdown period. Jane Nickerson, Swim England Chief Executive, has reiterated her plea to the Government to step in and ensure these facilities are given the financial support they need to survive.

Speaking in July she said: “We’re obviously delighted that pools have finally been given the green light to reopen for the first time in more than four months.

“However, we face the real risk of swimming becoming a forgotten activity for so many people if public leisure centres open their gyms first and leave pools closed until next year.

“Before the lockdown, 4.7 million people a month were swimming regularly. It is such a unique activity in that it offers huge physical and mental health benefits – and helps save the NHS and social care system more than £357m a year.

“It would be short-sighted not to provide the necessary financial support to help facilities blighted by the pandemic. The savings made to the NHS alone would quickly more than recover the initial outlay.”

Swim England | 01509 618700 | www.swimming.org

New £20m Pool And Sports Complex For Widnes

The North West town of Widnes is set to get a new £20m leisure centre after plans submitted by Halton Borough Council were recently approved. In addition to a gym, sports hall and other leisure amenities, the new 50,000 sq ft leisure facility will include a 25m, 6 lane swimming pool plus a teaching pool. The swimming pool and sports complex will replace the ageing and outdated Kingsway Leisure Centre and will be located in Moor Lane, just five minutes away from the Kingsway site.

Aquatics specialists Devin Consulting have been appointed by the main contractor Wates Group to provide expert advice on the project.

Managing Director Tom Devin said: “Wates have a proven track record in building leisure and sports facilities; we’re currently working with them on the Sandwell Aquatic Centre for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games so we know the project and the team is in good hands.” Devin Consulting is looking forward to working with architects, Ellis Williams for the first time too. “They’re the team behind one of our local landmark buildings, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art – it’s a stunning conversion from an old flour mill,” said Tom.

Moor Lane Leisure Centre is being delivered on behalf of Halton Borough Council and is expected to open its doors in late 2022.

Devin Consulting | 0191 258 1653 | www.devin-consulting.com

SPATEX 2021 Set To Be The First In Europe

SPATEX, which takes place at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena from Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 February 2021, is now set to be the first European show of the season following the postponement this year of Piscine Global Europe in Lyon and interbad in Stuttgart.

SPATEX Organiser, Michele Bride said: “We naturally extend our heartfelt sympathy to the organisers of both exhibitions that have had to postpone their shows in Autumn 2020. These are challenging times for us all and we look forward to visiting their rearranged shows in 2021.”

Michele added: “Fortunately for SPATEX, the industry has responded well to the timing of our show in early February and we have been rewarded with almost 75% of exhibition space already sold. It reveals the fabulous level of optimism in the industry, the value of our annual Show and the inclusive, unifying opportunity it offers, not just for the UK, but Europe and beyond. Work is currently underway between my team and the Ricoh Arena to ensure the systems are in place to make SPATEX the safest show possible. We are totally confident of achieving that.”

SPATEX 2021 promises to be a very special event: not only will it provide the industry with the first opportunity to come together in Europe as one, it is also a celebration, as it marks SPATEX’s 25th anniversary. In addition, it will be a milestone for SPATA’s 60th and BISHTA’s 20th anniversaries too. The SPATEX team will be releasing details shortly of some extra special events to set this edition apart from all that have gone before.

SPATEX | 01264 358558 | www.spatex.co.uk

Therme Group Announces Plans For UK Wellbeing Resorts

Following approval to build a £250m wellbeing resort in Manchester, Therme Group has revealed plans to develop the concept in other major UK cities. The roll out will create over 3,000 new direct jobs and represents a major investment in the health and wellbeing of the population.

The development plan includes projects with a similar concept to Therme Manchester in Wales, Scotland and London. Work begins on the 28-acre Manchester resort next year. All of the projects will be developed at sites located near to city centres.

The concept, combining nature, sustainable technology and culture, has been phenomenally successful in Europe for over 20 years. It offers a fun and relaxing experience that also focuses onmental and physical health, including tackling the growing issue ofobesity.

Guests can experience thermal bathing traditions from around the world, fun and healthy activities for all ages and affordable wellbeing therapies in a biodiverse natural environment. Therme Group believes that wellbeing should be accessible to all, and the scale of the resorts allows entry prices to be set at a level that is socially inclusive. The physical and mental health benefits visitors experience support preventative healthcare in communities.

The UK development will be a significant driver for economic growth, also enabling new technology and R&D partnerships.

UK Chief Operating Officer, James Mark, said: “Our resorts provide a vital piece of social infrastructure in our cities, creating relaxing and fun places to meet whilst also nurturing mental and physical health. Our aim is to ensure that a Therme Group wellbeing resort is within easy reach of 90% of the UK population.”

Therme Group is at an advanced stage of discussion with local authorities and stakeholders in several locations in Wales, Scotland and London.

Therme Group | 020 7769 6761 | www.thermegroup.com

Top Marks For STA With A Net Promoter Score Of 84.3%

STA’s first Net Promoter Score ® of 84.3% has exceeded all expectations, and the way above average score is testament to all the hard work the association’s team have put in over the last six months to help members and swim school partners through the coronavirus pandemic.

To put STA’s score into perspective, only around 10% of UK brands get an NPS of 40% or more – and this can be further drilled down when benchmarking against the leisure industry which averages a score of 45% and the education / training sector’s 71% score average. e.

Zoe Cooper, STA’s Commercial Director, who organised the NPS survey with Leisure-Net Solutions, to measure the willingness of customers to recommend STA products or services to others (on a scale of 1-10), said: “The team at STA have always taken customer service very seriously and we pride ourselves on our friendly and responsive approach. However, the last six months have taken its toll on everyone in leisure, professionally and personally,and our approach right from the beginning was to try within our means to provide as much support as we could.

“We are therefore extremely proud to have achieved a very high NPS of 84.3% (as a result of more than 90% of our customers scoring us a 9 or a 10 for our support through the pandemic) – it is testament to all the hard work and commitment our teams have shown through this difficult time; and work will we continue to do, as we move onto the next crucial phase with the reopening of pools, including a soon to be announced new partnership with Bigwave Media.”

STA | 01922 645097 | www.sta.co.uk