In the wake of ISG Construction’s sudden collapse last September, working through the UK Leisure Framework, Alliance Leisure has successfully brought all affected leisure development projects back on track.
It took less than 100 days to get all 9 affected projects back om track, a feat made possible by the company’s commitment, agility, and solid partnerships with the construction sector and local authority clients.
When ISG went into administration, multiple high-value leisure development projects—worth approximately £250 million—found themselves at risk of significant delays or even cancellation. As the principal contractor on these projects, ISG’s exit created an urgent challenge for project developer, Alliance Leisure, that required immediate action to protect clients’ investments and ensure projects could continue with minimal disruption.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Alliance Leisure’s Managing Director Paul Cluett expressed his pride in the team’s response. 'Our immediate priority was to stabilise the situation, secure sites, and engage closely with clients to understand their concerns. With the support of our partners and the UK Leisure Framework, we were able to mobilise quickly and return every affected project to full operation in just 100 days. This recovery is a testament to the strength of our relationships and our commitment to delivering solutions under pressure.'
The process of recovery began with swift assessments of each project’s status, both live and in pre-construction phases. By leveraging the flexibility of the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure (DLL), Alliance Leisure was able to swiftly appoint alternative contractors, ensuring work resumed with minimal delay. This was possible thanks not only to the solid long term relationships Alliance Leisure has nurtured over the years with contractors, consultants, and clients but also the dedication and commitment of the Alliance Leisure team.
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| Image: Watson Batty Architects |
'We knew that moving quickly was essential to minimise disruption. The UK Leisure Framework’s collaborative nature gave us the tools we needed to secure alternative specialist leisure development contractors and provide our clients with the confidence that their projects would continue on schedule,' added Cluett. 'We were also quick to reassure and redeploy affected ISG sub contractors, protecting jobs and safeguarding project time lines.'
Speaking of Alliance’s reaction to the ISG collapse, Matt Broughton, Director – Growth & Assets, North East Derbyshire District Council, says: 'Alliance Leisure's response was swift and reassuring. They immediately provided professional advice and leveraged their extensive supply chain and framework partners to address the situation. Their clear communication and proactive approach were invaluable. They kept us informed at every stage and quickly appointed new contractors to ensure the project stayed on track. It was everything you could wish for from a true partnership.
'Alliance Leisure's handling of the situation has been exemplary. Their commitment to getting the site back up and running, coupled with their transparent communication and rapid response, truly stood out. We are grateful for their support and professionalism during this challenging time.'
Alliance Leisure’s success in navigating the collapse has underscored the company’s agility and its ability to operate under pressure. The experience has also reinforced the importance of adaptability and collaboration in an unpredictable industry. With every affected project now back on course and delivering the expected results, Alliance Leisure’s recovery story serves as a model of resilience and determination in the construction sector.
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| Image: Wilson's Playing Fields. |
Alliance Leisure led, UK Leisure Framework projects affected by the ISG Collapse – project values range from £12 million to £34 million:
• Clay Cross Active
• Caerphilly Leisure Centre
• Wilson Sport Village
• West Wickham Leisure Centre
• Bishop Auckland Leisure Centre
• Skelmersdale Leisure Centre
• Ormskirk Leisure Centre
• Doncaster Dome
• Haden Hill Leisure Centre
For more information about Alliance Leisure’s response to the ISG collapse read comment from Paul Cluett’s blog here.
