Leisure
Wigan insources leisure services
The council is to bring its leisure centres in-house in a bid to safeguard jobs following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
Bids to open for £100m leisure fund
Sport England has finally launched the £100m biddable fund to support English councils with outsourced public leisure centre provision.
Leisure services: exist or thrive?
The pandemic has placed leisure services under immense stress, writes Ian Fytche. Short-term financial support is fundamental to survival, but investment in the long-term is also essential, he adds.
Canal project offers immense scope to regenerate
It is uplifting to reflect that a canal which shaped the district in the past will do so again in the future - forming a significant part of Stroud's plans to recover from the pandemic, says Kathy O'Leary.
The value of districts working at the local level
Chief executive at Rossendale BC Neil Shaw outlines how the council has addressed the need to support local businesses and communities during the pandemic and has shown that ‘a really local approach works’.
Leisure centre collapse warning
Under-pressure leisure centres will go under without further rescue funding on top of the £100m already pledged by the Government, district councils have warned.
Lewisham switches leisure operators
Lewisham LBC has parted ways with the charity managing its leisure facilities, Fusion Lifestyle, it has announced.
Leisure outsourcer asks staff to take 'career break'
A major leisure services provider has come under fire for asking workers to take ‘unpaid career breaks’.
Minister hints at leisure centre support
Further Government support for leisure centres is being looked at following lobbying from councils
Leisure centres under threat, warn councils
Hundreds of leisure facilities are under ‘immediate threat of closure’ due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, English and Welsh councils have warned ministers.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
Future-proofing park tennis
The LTA has announced a comprehensive, cost-free offer to councils - a digital platform to help support provision of opportunities for people to pick up a tennis racket and get active, says Scott Lloyd.
Leisure centre closures threaten the drive to boost the nation’s health
Health secretary Matt Hancock does not want to be in the awkward position of calling on better prevention to reduce demand on the NHS just as leisure centres across the land are closing their doors, says Michael Burton.
Councils call for leisure bail out
District councils have called on the Government to bail out cash-strapped leisure centres as they face permanent closure because of lack of income due to the coronavirus shutdown.
Leisure providers at 'crisis point' - LGA
Leisure providers are at a ‘crisis point’ as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, English and Welsh councils have warned.
Sport England call for support amid lockdown
Sport England has pleaded with local authorities to offer financial support to their local leisure trusts amid the coronavirus crisis after facilities were forced to close as part of the Government lockdown.
Plan to tackle £66.8m hike in cost of Birmingham Games scheme
Birmingham City Council is reporting ‘substantial progress’ in the delivery of a regeneration scheme key to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but that a net cost increase of £66.8m has emerged.
Reading appoints leisure operator on 25-year contract
Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) has been awarded a contract to operate Reading BC’s leisure services.
Harrogate hands Willmott Dixon £10m leisure build contract
Harrogate BC has awarded a £10m contract to Willmott Dixon to overhaul a leisure centre in Ripon.
Union and social enterprise clash over library strike
A trade union has questioned the treatment of workers by a social enterprise running hundreds of council-owned leisure facilities.
