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Stuart Thornton joins Alliance Leisure

Stuart Thornton Joins Alliance Leisure

As Alliance Leisure continues to grow, we are delighted to introduce our newest starter, Stuart Thornton, as our new Finance Director.

Stuart joins us from outside of sector having previously been finance director for housebuilding and finance companies based globally.  Growing up in Leeds, he then studied and lived in Liverpool for a number of years, before settling in the Bristol area.

Get to know Stuart in this introductory Q&A! 
What’s your career highlight to date?
“After a lot of time, effort and sacrifices’, becoming a qualified chartered accountant has to be the highlight. It was 10 years of hard work and the springboard for my career.”
You’ve got a free weekend, what are you up to?
“If we had a free warm and dry weekend, we would go camping at the River Dart Country Park in Devon, where we would climb waterfalls at Becky Falls, raft in the nearby river and spend the weekend eating BBQ’d meat!”
Tell us something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know?
“When I was 12/13 years old I use to be an OK high board diver, winning comps against future GB divers who went onto the Olympics – I got lucky! To the dismay of my mum, I gave it all up for Scouting! Dib Dib Dob Dob!”
Have you ever met anyone famous?
“After a lengthy walk from my home, I would trick or treat at Tony Yeboah (scored one of the greatest Premier League goals in history), Gary MacAlister’s, Brian Deans and David Battys houses – all Leeds Utd Legends of the 90’s! They rarely answered but was worth trying for the few times they did!”
What’s your favourite sport/team?
“Sport: Football and rock climbing – not great at either though!
Team: Bristol City FC/Keynsham Town FC Juniors (middle son’s team!)”
Where’s the most extravagant place you’ve been to?
‘Honeymoon to Greece, island hopping for 3 weeks – first week was extravagant but after a week being told I could not wear shorts to dinner (trousers only in the baking heat!?) my wife and I quickly went back to back-packing around the islands staying in more basic accommodation…more money left over for Greek Gyros and beers!’
You’ve got a £20 credit on Uber Eats, what are you ordering?
‘A Gyros, chips and beer’
Favourite holiday destination?
‘Costa Adeje – Tenerife – great weather, food, beaches, watersports and lots for the kids to do! Keeps them off their screens for a short while!’
Meet the Rest of the Team

Alliance Leisure Delivers Knockout BOX12 Studio in Walsall

Alliance Leisure Delivers Knockout BOX12 Studio in Walsall

Working in partnership with Walsall Council, Alliance Leisure has delivered its first dedicated BOX12 boxing-based boutique training facility within the footprint of an established leisure centre.

The new studio, created from under-utilised office space, occupies a new studio space on the first floor and can accommodate up to 16 participants at any one time, all working out in a circuit style format, supported by digital coaching and exercise demonstrations.

We were looking to create something special, something unique in the community that would inspire people to get active and stay active. Alliance Leisure has an excellent reputation and track record for developing engaging place-based activity spaces so employing their expertise was a no-brainer. We wanted to obtain maximum impact and engagement for our £300,000 budget. When the BOX12 studio was first tabled as an idea we were a little sceptical. It sounded interesting but we were struggling to understand how it might work as a ‘box within a box’ at Oak Park Active Living Centre. Our concerns were soon put to rest when Alliance hosted visits to an existing BOX12 facility located at Newcastle Under Lyme. We fell in love with the energy, fun and uniqueness of the experience and were convinced it would ignite a spark in the community and people would want to get involved. We were also encouraged by the fact that the two BOX12 founders are also co-owners of the established Hatton Boxing brand.
Stuart Webb
Group Manager, Walsall Council

BOX12 is a 36-minute workout consisting of 12, 3-minute rounds that combine boxing and functional fitness exercises. Each exercise is separated by a 3-minute rest period. The workout is fast-paced, training strength, power and cardiovascular fitness as well as balance, reaction time and flexibility.

BOX12 provides a welcoming and encouraging environment for everybody, regardless of ability or experience. People can train at their own pace and level within the parameters of the workout format.
Whilst some of the exercises are individual, many require people to pair-up, helping to nurture a supportive community that provides social and mental benefits as well as physical. Digital instruction and exercise demonstrations are provided throughout, freeing up instructors to focus more on motivational coaching and encouragement. In the case of the install at Walsall, BOX12 also integrates the Myzone platform, helping people to understand their training levels, challenging themselves whilst working within safe limits.
Kenny Wattam
Project Manager, BOX12

Works began in October 2023 transforming the office space into the vibrant BOX12 studio and completed in just 11 weeks. BOX12 launched in 2019 so is still a relatively new kid on the fitness industry block. That said, it is experiencing exciting growth within the UK, Europe and as far afield as Saudi Arabia.

The BOX12 project at the Oak Park Active Living Centre was delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL). Other partners on the project include Universal Construction, Savernake Property Consultants, Bignall Shacklady and Ewing Architects and Greenwood Projects for Principal Design. 

In terms of the sensory experience we kept within the traditional BOX12 design framework, creating a stripped back industrial feel enhanced by strategically positioned lighting, wraparound graphics and high-quality equipment. When people step into the studio, they immediately feel they have arrived in a unique space, leaving any stresses and strains of everyday life at the door and enabling total focus on their workout. BOX12 is fresh and delivers a unique experience for people living in and around Walsall. Whilst it is hoped the existing leisure centre users will embrace the new offer, we also expect BOX12 to attract a new audience, extending the centre's positive influence on the local community.
Kenny Wattam
Project Manager, BOX12

Alliance Leisure appointed to new leisure centre project for Kingston upon Thames

Alliance Leisure appointed to new leisure centre project for Kingston upon Thames

Alliance Leisure has been appointed to work on the concept design for a new leisure centre for The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in south-west London.

Appointed via the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL),  Alliance Leisure will help shape the new two storey venue, which has sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity at its heart.

The design team, which includes architects Roberts Limbrick, are currently working with community stakeholders, potential future users and the council to ensure the new design meets their needs. Public update sessions will take place this month, with engagement on the proposed designs scheduled for the spring.

The new design will replace former plans for a leisure complex as the council made the decision not to proceed with the approved application when the unprecedented national financial picture led to costs rising to almost double the agreed budget.

Located in Kingston town centre on the site of the old Kingfisher Leisure Centre which closed in 2019, outline plans for the new facility include two swimming pools with moveable floors. The 25m, eight lane pool will offer spectator seating for 150 people, while the smaller pool measuring 20m x 10m will feature lights, water fountains and accessible steps for fun splash sessions. A pool pod, hoist and easy going access steps will be available in both pools for comfortable access for those with additional needs.

Following extensive consultation and a strategic review of indoor sports needs across the borough, other facilities will include a 150-station gym, four-court sports hall, three multi-activity studios, a group cycling studio, two squash courts, a health suite with sauna and steam rooms, café and a soft play area. The centre will also offer a fully accessible Changing Places toilet facility.

Spaces around the site will be enhanced as part of the project, including upgrading the outdoor play area and improving green space.

The development aims to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and will incorporate Net Zero design principles and a host of technologies to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs. The building will be all electric, with power supported by solar panels and heat generated by air source heat pumps.

The project team includes architects Roberts Limbrick, Hadron Consulting, Design Active and Varsity QS.

Kingston Council is committed to building a new swimming and leisure centre in Kingston town centre and we have been working at pace to bring forward revised proposals for the complex. We are pleased to have such an experienced project team, managed through Alliance Leisure and procured through the UK Leisure Framework, to ensure that the project can be delivered on time, include the range of activities that residents and stakeholders said they wanted to see, and within an affordable budget.
Chris Jones
Project Director at Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames
Having developed over 200 leisure projects, our role is to use this experience to lead a team of best-in-class experts to develop an outstanding new leisure facility for Kingston. We are looking forward to shaping a new, sustainable and inclusive leisure centre that meets the needs of the local community providing long lasting improvements in physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Tom Fairey
Development Director, Alliance Leisure
Our specialist sport and leisure team, with a national reputation in this sector, are delighted to be playing their part in the design of a new accessible, inclusive and sustainable swimming and leisure centre for the residents of Kingston. The centre is being designed to provide a range of facilities and opportunities for users of all abilities to promote active lives. Two swimming pools, a sports hall, squash courts, fitness gym, studio spaces and health suite form the key sporting facilities that sit alongside a large café and double height soft play. It is exciting to see the designs developing into an efficient two-storey building that meets the needs of the local community on this important town centre site.
Chris Kent
Associate, Roberts Limbrick
ABOUT US

Alliance Leisure and TA6 support leisure operators across the UK transform their business through innovative facility developments and marketing support that delivers real results

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Alliance Leisure
2430/2440 The Quadrant
Aztec West
Bristol
BS32 4AQ

Tel: 01454 877558
Email: info@allianceleisure.co.uk

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