Workout Weekly November 18

ISSUE 1 May

WEEKLY

Issue 121 - 18 November 2022

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

Forty per cent of council areas at risk of centre closures and restrictions – page 2 Leisure centre refurbishment completes in West Midlands – page 3

2

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Forty per cent of council areas at risk of centre closures and restrictions FORTY per cent of council areas are at risk of losing their leisure centres and swimming pools within five months – or seeing services rationalised – due to the sector’s growing energy crisis, industry leaders have warned.

New figures from ukactive project that without government intervention, large numbers of public sector leisure facilities are unlikely to make it through to next spring, with service restrictions and facility closures already growing across the UK. A new consultation with national public leisure operators asked ukactive members to risk assess the current threat to their facilities.

The findings show: n 40 per cent of council areas are at risk of losing their leisure centre(s) or seeing reduced services at their leisure centre(s) before March 31, 2023 n Three quarters (74 per cent) of council areas are classified as ‘unsecure’, meaning there is risk of the closure of leisure centres and/or reduced services before March 31, 2024.

Industry leaders are calling for immediate support to avoid significant closures – support that cannot wait until the outcome of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme review from

ukactive CEO Huw Edwards.

the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which will not be implemented until April 2023.

They are calling on the Government to intervene straight away and work with local authorities and facility operators to find a short-term solution that supports discussions on the long-term future of the services provided to communities by public leisure facilities.

This would complement the wider support needed from the BEIS review for the whole sector (both public and private operators), including an extended energy price guarantee, VAT relief, business rates holiday, and local government grants.

Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres are disproportionately affected by rising energy costs, given their high energy intensiveness, and therefore remain highly vulnerable

despite the broad support provided for all businesses. ukactive’s evidence shows that operators face bills up to 200 per cent higher this year compared to 2019 (the last normal operating year), with costs set to grow by up to 240 per cent next year.

While most public leisure operators say they are working constructively with their local authorities to find solutions, the reality is council budgets are under growing pressure and urgent, targeted support will be required from central government.

Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO, said: “We are now seeing daily announcements of public sector leisure facilities either restricting services, at threat of closure, or closing permanently due to the energy crisis.

“This is the sad reality of the accurate projections ukactive made to the Government earlier this year, and a tragedy for local communities which are losing trusted, essential services that support the physical and mental wellbeing of the communities they serve.

“The Energy Price Guarantee – in place until March 2023 – has avoided catastrophic energy prices across all sectors for the moment, but it was never a silver bullet, and this

is now being seen in parts of our sector, especially in facilities that run swimming pools.

“The Government needs to intervene now, and we remain committed to bringing together operator members, alongside representatives across local government, to explore all options available to stem the flow of closures.

“The UK cannot afford our new projections on restrictions and closures to happen, hence the need for urgent action now.” ukactive has also conducted consumer polling with Savanta ComRe which found the cost of living crisis is causing concern among consumers about their physical activity levels.

The polling shows: n 43 per cent of respondents said the rising cost of living will have a negative impact on their ability to participate in sport and exercise. n One in five (20 per cent) said this would be a ‘large negative impact’ which will reduce their physical activity a lot.

The combination of energy bills and threat to consumer spending mean that many essential frontline community health services could disappear from cities, towns, and villages across the nation.

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Leisure centre refurbishment completes in West Midlands RESIDENTS in Halesowen, West Midlands are enjoying a completely re-invented leisure experience at the town’s leisure centre thanks to a major upgrade of its leisure centre The Dudley Council development, delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, has seen Halesowen Leisure Centre transformed into a vibrant activity hub with a new mix of facilities that caters for everyone.

The extensive project was carried out in two phases. The first began in February 2021 which saw the conversion of the former learner pool and changing rooms to a new reception area, café and large adventure play area perfect for families.

Further space conversion saw a new wellness suite, complete with a power assisted ‘gym’ to encourage engagement from older adults and those new to exercise, along with an extension of the existing gym and studio refurbishment.

Outside, the building’s façade was replaced and landscaping works carried out to improve the overall visual appeal and entrance. This phase completed in December last year.

Phase two followed immediately and completed recently. This included the reconfiguration of the pool area to

create a 25-metre main pool and 12.5 mere learner pool supported by a new changing village.

All facilities cater for those with accessibility issues, creating opportunities for use by all members of the community.

Julia Goddard, senior business development manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “This project has brought the town’s leisure provision back in line with the diverse needs of today’s community.

“Leisure provision needs to keep up with the changing needs of the

community. Dudley Council recognised this and invested in creating a sustainable provision that will support a healthy and active community both now and in the future.”

Working through the UK Leisure Framework, Alliance leisure worked closely with construction partner, Speller Metcalfe, and Project Managers, Axiom to deliver both phases of the project.

Rob Lashford, regional director at Speller Metcalfe, added: “It has been fantastic to get to the completion of construction works at the leisure centre – in particular the swimming pool which

will be a highlight for users.

“We know how important facilities such as these are to the local community, and we’re delighted to have worked with the Council, Axiom and Alliance Leisure to make this scheme a reality for Halesowen.”

This project marks the completion of a multi-site leisure regeneration programme for DMBC. Working in partnership with Alliance Leisure, through the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure, the Council has also delivered a new-build £18.2million leisure centre in Dudley and an extensive re-modelling of the existing Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise at Dudley Council, said: “The completion of extensive work significantly improves our leisure provision for residents across the Borough.

“In partnership with Alliance Leisure, we set about designing a future where everyone’s leisure needs are catered for.

Investment now will create a sustainable future for our leisure centres that will support the welfare of our Borough’s population for generations to come.”

3