A charity managing numerous leisure facilities and swimming pools across England has entered administration.
On April 1, Fusion Lifestyle announced the appointment of administrators following a „prolonged period of financial difficulty.“ The organization stated that it had worked closely with local authorities to explore feasible options, and many councils agreed to keep facilities operational during the transition.
According to Fusion, memberships will remain active, and scheduled activities will continue as planned.
Headquartered in Dartford, Kent, the charity attributed its financial challenges to „rising operational costs, reduced government funding, and post-pandemic recovery issues.“ Despite significant efforts to secure new funding, these attempts were unsuccessful.
The government has been approached for comments regarding the situation.
The City of London Corporation announced that the Golden Lane Sports and Fitness Centre, previously operated by Fusion, will close after April 30. The corporation is exploring options for continuing the use of tennis courts at the site and is seeking local alternatives for users ahead of a planned refurbishment in December.
„The leisure centre’s current condition combined with the short time frame before the planned closure in December meant no financially viable alternative to closure could be identified,“ the corporation stated.
Fusion has indicated that the administrators, S&W Partners, are working to find new operators for its remaining leisure centres.
The facilities that remain open include:
- Five locations featuring gyms and pools in eastern Somerset
- Six leisure centres in Devon, including Dartmouth and Totnes
- Centres located in Loughborough, Syston, and Mountsorrel in Leicestershire
- Brockwell Lido in London
- Sports centres in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood, and Tunbridge Wells, Kent
- Wycombe Rye Lido in Buckinghamshire
- Newcastle City Baths
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has announced that Serco Leisure, in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust, will take over management of its facilities once a handover date is finalized. „Since learning they may be experiencing financial difficulties, the council has been exploring options to achieve the best outcome for residents,“ stated the local authority.
Lambeth Council confirmed that its operator, Active Lambeth, will assume management of Brockwell Lido starting July 1.
West Devon Council reported that Parkwood Leisure will take over Meadowlands Leisure Centre in Tavistock and Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton after the council awarded a short-term contract.
Charnwood Borough Council indicated that its planned upgrade to heating at Loughborough Leisure Centre will not be affected by these developments.
Bildquelle: Foto von Georg Eiermann auf Unsplash
