New leisure partnership with Northumberland commences

Our new 10-year leisure partnership with Northumberland County Council commences from next month, taking on the management of the county’s 10 leisure facilities.

Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Healthy Lives with Northumberland County Council said: “We're delighted to be working with Places Leisure - they're a highly trusted operator with an exemplary reputation and one of the country's leading leisure management contractors.  

“Over recent years the County Council has invested well over £100m into its leisure provision to improve the health and wellbeing of those who live in, work in or visit Northumberland.  This includes four brand new leisure centres along with millions more spent refurbishing our other facilities.  

“We look forward to continuing this journey with Places Leisure from next month."

As part of the contract, we will also take on an Active Communities partnership role, facilitating community-led and community-based activity within the local areas surrounding the centres, to increase access and support for people within the community.

Dan Walker, Business Development Director for Places Leisure explains more, “As a social enterprise we have a genuine commitment to improving people’s lives and the communities they live within, this includes members of the community who are unable to visit their local leisure facilities.

“We are excited to start working with the team and other community groups in partnership with Northumberland County Council to explore areas where we can enhance opportunities, so that more members of the community can enjoy getting active, whether that’s within the centres themselves, or in the wider community.

“As a responsible social enterprise, it’s also important that we look after the people who support our communities, that’s why we are a Real Living Wage employer, and we are pleased to be able to offer this benefit to all of our colleagues in Northumberland.”