William Eichler 04 November 2022

Leisure centres in 40% of council areas at risk of closure

Leisure centres in 40% of council areas at risk of closure image
Image: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com

Leisure centres and swimming pools across a large number of the UK’s council areas are in danger of being closed down due to the high cost of energy, new research reveals.

ukactive has warned that 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 survey of more than a third of all UK leisure centres and swimming pools found that 40% of council areas are at risk of losing or seeing reduced services at their leisure centres before 31 March 2023.

Three quarters (74%) of council areas are classified as ‘unsecure’, meaning there is risk of the closure of leisure centres and/or reduced services before 31 March 2024.

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.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Operations

Newquay Town Council
£55,801 - £59,922
This is an exciting opportunity to join Newquay Town Council as its first Director of Operations. Newquay, Cornwall
Recuriter: Newquay Town Council

Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Director of Resources / Deputy Chief Executive

Newquay Town Council
£61,197 – £65,925
This is an exciting opportunity to join Newquay Town Council as its new Director of Resources. Newquay, Cornwall
Recuriter: Newquay Town Council

Storytelling and Case Studies Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £43,545 FTE based on Skill
Job Title Storytelling and Cas... Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Head of Housing Development

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
UP to £116,847
Job Title- Head of Housing Development Salary – UP to £116,847 Permanent – Fulltime (36hours) Location- Wandsworth Town Hall, London Are you experienced in Local Government Housing Association/Development? If yes, you are invited to consider th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner