A free special report from LocalGov and Alliance Leisure

Local authorities are facing some of the toughest financial pressures in a generation, with statutory services consuming an ever-greater share of council budgets. Against this backdrop, leisure provision – swimming pools, sports halls and leisure centres – is often viewed as discretionary, and an easy target when savings need to be found.

This free special report from LocalGov, produced in partnership with Alliance Leisure, makes the case for a fundamental shift in perspective: from leisure as a discretionary service to leisure as prevention infrastructure, capable of easing pressure on health and social care while building healthier, more connected and more resilient communities.

What's inside the report?

Drawing on expert insight and real-world case studies, Beyond the Leisure Centre: How to make the case for active wellbeing investment covers:

The scale of the health inequality challenge. The Marmot reviews of 2010 and 2020 identified a persistent and widening health inequality gap, while ONS data for 2022–24 showed healthy life expectancy at its lowest level since 2013, with residents in the most deprived communities spending over a decade longer in poor health than their more affluent neighbours.

Why leisure sits at the heart of prevention. Well-designed leisure provision supports active ageing, reduces social isolation, provides accessible spaces for health services to be delivered alongside physical activity, and contributes to place-based regeneration and local economic vitality.

The strategic case for repositioning leisure. Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure, sets out how councils can reimagine leisure as part of a wider active wellbeing system – one built around people and outcomes, rather than facilities and timetables.

The case for sustained investment. Julie Russell, Convenor of the Active Wellbeing Leadership Network and Immediate Past Chair of the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association, argues that leisure should be recognised as essential prevention infrastructure, backed by long-term funding mechanisms.

Real-world examples of what's possible. Warsop Health Hub in Nottinghamshire shows how an integrated, community-designed facility can exceed every commercial and social target set for it, generating nearly £488,000 in social value in its first year alone. In Denbighshire, Jamie Groves of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd describes how a not-for-profit model is channelling commercial success into coastal regeneration and community resilience across North Wales.

The design principles behind successful facilities. Alliance Leisure's analysis of active environments explores what separates a building people simply visit from a place they keep returning to.

How to fund leisure investment in a constrained environment. The report sets out practical routes to investment that don't compete with statutory services – including developer contributions, place-based government programmes, and a stronger evidence base for long-term system value.

Who should read this report?

This report is essential reading for council leaders, chief executives, directors of public health, leisure and culture professionals, and finance officers looking to make the case for sustained investment in active wellbeing. Whether you're reviewing your leisure estate, developing a prevention strategy, or seeking new funding routes for community facilities, this report offers practical, evidence-based guidance on unlocking the full value of leisure provision.

Download your free copy today and discover how repositioning leisure as prevention infrastructure can help your council deliver healthier, more connected and more resilient communities.

Beyond the Leisure Centre: How to make the case for active wellbeing investment is a special report produced by LocalGov in partnership with Alliance Leisure.