Category: Industry News

Launch of £17 Levelling Up Project Marked by Sod Cutting

Launch of £17m Levelling Up Project Marked by Sod Cutting

The multi-million pound redevelopment of MyActive Leek (formerly Brough Park Leisure Centre) gets underway this month, marked by an official sod cutting ceremony.

The latest in a series of schemes being delivered by Alliance Leisure for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, the £17 million project forms part of the wider Levelling Up funded regeneration of Leek town centre.

The centre will be managed by the Council’s new in-house health and wellbeing company, operating under the MyActive brand, which has been developed with the support of Alliance Leisure’s marketing and support arm, TA6.

The Brough Park redevelopment is supported by £10 million of Levelling Up Funding, with additional funding of £3 million from the Council, £1.8 million from Sport England and £1.1 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Julia Goddard, Regional Director, Alliance Leisure, says:

The new centre will provide a fantastic range of modern services that support both physical and mental wellbeing. The project aligns with the Council’s wider Move More strategy to provide accessible, high-quality facilities and environments for all residents and is set to become a key community asset for years to come.

Council Leader Councillor Mike Gledhill, Chairman Councillor Ian Plant, Leek Town Mayor Councillor Barry Birch, and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Matt Swindlehurst

Following a district-wide leisure services review, the centre is being redeveloped to better reflect the needs of the local community. The current four-lane swimming pool will be replaced with a new 25m, six-lane pool as well as a larger teaching pool. The gym will be expanded from 35 stations to 60, while a second group exercise studio and group cycling studio will be added to increase the fitness provision.

One of the existing squash courts will be transformed into a new Community Wellness Suite. The space will support referral-based services, offering specialist equipment and trained instructors to help improve health outcomes for individuals with specific medical conditions.

Other key features include a new indoor adventure soft play with a dedicated party area and new group, family and accessible Changing Places facilities to ensure the centre caters to all visitors, including those with disabilities and additional needs.

The new reception area will overlook both swimming pools and include a café with seating for around 60 people, as well as a ‘grab and go’ service. The café will serve as a central hub for users of both the leisure centre and the adjacent park.

Rob Wilks, Head of Leisure and Environmental Services at the Council, said:

We’re excited to be delivering three major projects in Leek which will help to regenerate the town and deliver modern, quality health and wellbeing, retail and cultural spaces and opportunities for our residents, visitors and businesses.

Having ALS working alongside us to get these schemes up and running has been fantastic. We’ve really valued their input on everything from helping us with the branding for our new health and wellbeing company, to scoping out the projects we’re delivering, and the role they continue to play in co-ordinating the various diverse strands of three very different projects.

The refurbishment aims to transform the centre into an all-electric facility. Gas boilers will be replaced by air source heat pumps, while solar panels installed on the roof will generate approximately 42 kW of green energy. Additionally, new LED lighting and energy-efficient construction methods will ensure the centre operates with reduced energy consumption and heat loss.

Alliance Leisure will also be assisting with the launch of the centre through its TA6 client support team.

Paul Woodford, Strategic Engagement Director, Alliance, who leads the TA6 brand, said:

We are proud to have developed the MyActive brand with a clear focus on promoting healthy, active lifestyles for all. The new brand reflects Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s commitment to creating spaces that inspire communities to incorporate fitness and wellness in their daily lives and we’re excited to see it bring positive change across all sites, especially at the debut of Brough Park.

The Brough Park development is being delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd. The project team includes contractor Speller Metcalfe, architect Roberts Limbrick and project manager Abacus.

Rob Lashford, Director at Speller Metcalfe, said:

We’re delighted to start work on the redevelopment of Brough Leisure Centre and create an exciting, modern facility for the local community. Leisure centres are Speller Metcalfe’s bread and butter and we’re proud to be working with the project team to drive positive change across the county.

Alliance Leisure is working on two further Levelling Up funded projects for the council: the revamp of Leek’s indoor market halls and the refurbishment of the Nicholson Institute – home to the town’s library, museum and art gallery. We are also driving a £2.1m project to reduce carbon emissions at Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre, after the council secured £1,910,000 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

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Alliance Leisure Completes Hat-Trick of Projects for Durham County Council

Durham County Council’s third leisure centre redevelopment with Alliance Leisure has been completed. The £5.7m refurbishment of The Louisa Centre in Stanley forms part of the council’s multi-million pound investment programme to transform leisure services across the county.

The centre has undergone extensive works to modernise its facilities and introduce new activities that appeal to both older and younger users, promote healthy lifestyles, reduce health inequalities and help ensure the future success of the centre.

Cllr James Rowlandson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said:

Following the redevelopment of Abbey Leisure Centre and Peterlee Leisure Centre last year, we are delighted that the new-look Louisa Centre has opened. We are committed to providing high quality health and wellbeing facilities for residents to help more people become and stay active, supporting them to live long and independent lives.

We have reviewed our physical activity provision across the county and are modernising and extending facilities to meet the needs of people in the county, attract new users and ultimately lay the foundation for better health outcomes for the people of County Durham.

The Louisa Centre’s existing sports hall has been repurposed to offer five multi-sports courts as well as a large TAG Active indoor assault course and a climbing facility. The site now offers three exercise studios including a dedicated group cycling studio and a virtual offer.

A new Move Hub featuring power-assisted equipment from Innerva offers a safe and sociable exercise and rehabilitation space for those who need support to get moving or with long-term health conditions.

Other facilities include a larger children’s soft play area with interactive play features and a new café offering healthy options.

Essential maintenance works were also carried out at the centre’s 25m pool and teaching pool. Focusing primarily within the plant room, the work will lower the centre’s emissions and help improve the sustainability of the building.

Alliance Leisure delivered the project through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd. The project team included Max Associates, Axiom Project Services, GT3 architects, Play Revolution, Hutchison AV and FT Leisure.

Sean Nolan, Business Development Manager, said:

We have been working alongside Durham County Council for a number of years now, helping them to achieve their vision for high quality, modern leisure provision. To see the projects coming to fruition, with lots of happy customers using the facilities, gives us real satisfaction and makes the hard work really worthwhile.

Learn more about the Louisa Centre project

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Alliance Leisure Brings Adventure and Innovation to Prestatyn Leisure Centre

Alliance Leisure brings adventure and innovation to Prestatyn Leisure Centre

Working in collaboration with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), Alliance Leisure has delivered the next generation of fitness experiences at Prestatyn Leisure Centre to transform PE for local children and boost community engagement.

The innovative digital fitness experiences include the first Prama immersive group exercise studio in North Wales as well as the country’s inaugural interactive squash court.

This investment is another example of DLL’s ongoing commitment to innovation, community engagement and providing cutting edge fitness and leisure facilities for all ages

Will Gardner

Business Development Manager, Alliance Leisure

The Prama studio offers a dynamic and engaging environment where sound, lights, floors and walls come to life. The studio will revolutionise the centre’s junior fitness programme and deliver an innovative PE curriculum for students of Prestatyn High School, which use the leisure centre during school hours.

The interactive squash experience enhances the traditional game to appeal to a new generation of players. Utilising laser projectors, motion sensors and responsive sensors to track the ball, players can choose from a diverse range of games designed to enhance key skills such as hand-eye coordination, speed, strength and reaction time.

The project, which was delivered through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, also includes a Clip and Climb climbing experience to expand DLL’s portfolio of family-friendly adventures.

Alongside the new digital fitness experiences, the centre also offers a DLL Refuel station featuring Costa Coffee, providing a relaxing area for members to unwind and socialise after their activities.

Building on the success of our Nova centre in Prestatyn and its popular attractions like Club Nova, Beach Hut and adventure play, we are excited to introduce these innovative experiences to Prestatyn Leisure Centre. The new digital additions will significantly enhance the PE programme for current and future students, while offering an unparalleled fitness experience for the wider community.

Jamie Groves

Managing Director, DLL

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The New Procurement Act 2023

The New Procurement Act 2023:

A Transformative Shift in Public Procurement

John Leaver

Marketing & Frameworks Director

The landscape of public procurement in the UK is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of the new Procurement Act, which will come into force on 24 February 2025. This landmark legislation represents the most substantial overhaul of procurement laws in over three decades, aiming to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive procurement system. However, after attending a number of procurement events in 2024, most recently at ProcureX in Wales, the consensus is that, whilst the new regulations will provide greater transparency and flexibility, not that much will change in the day-to-day.

Jump to key sections in this article

Background and Objectives ⏬

Key Changes and Benefits ⏬

National Variations ⏬

Implementation and Transition ⏬

Frameworks ⏬

Looking Ahead ⏬

Procuring Leisure Developments ⏬

Resources ⏬

Background and Objectives

The new Procurement Act consolidates various existing public procurement rules into a single, cohesive regime. Historically, the UK’s procurement framework has been heavily influenced by European Union regulations. However, with the UK’s departure from the EU, there is an opportunity to tailor procurement laws to better meet national priorities and objectives. The Act seeks to address several key issues, including the barriers faced by smaller businesses in accessing public contracts, the need for greater transparency, and the desire for a more flexible procurement process.

Key Changes and Benefits

One of the primary goals of the new Procurement Act is to simplify and streamline the procurement process. The Act introduces a more flexible approach to procurement, allowing contracting authorities to tailor their processes to better suit the specific needs of their projects. This flexibility is expected to lead to more innovative solutions and better value for money for taxpayers.

The Act also places a strong emphasis on transparency. By embedding transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle, the new regime aims to ensure that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised. This includes requirements for greater disclosure of procurement decisions and the rationale behind them, as well as more robust mechanisms for challenging procurement outcomes.

Another significant change is the focus on opening up public procurement to new entrants, such as small businesses and social enterprises. The Act includes provisions designed to reduce the barriers that these organisations face when competing for public contracts. This is expected to increase competition and drive better outcomes for public sector projects.

The new Act will also introduce some changes regarding the assessment of tenders. The term “most economically advantageous tender” (MEAT) has been replaced with “most advantageous tender” (MAT). This change emphasizes that tenders do not have to be awarded based on the lowest price alone. Instead, contracting authorities can consider a wider range of factors, including quality, environmental and social factors, life cycle costs, and innovation. The Act allows contracting authorities to refine the award criteria in a competitive flexible procedure, which was not directly addressed in previous legislation

Additionally, while contracting authorities are not required to ask suppliers to explain abnormally low prices, they must investigate and provide suppliers with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to perform the contract at the proposed price before disregarding a tender on that basis.

National Variations

Scotland

The Act’s provisions extend to Scotland, but its application is limited, resulting in dual regulation of public procurements in Scotland.

The Procurement Act 2023 will not apply to devolved Scottish authorities, which will continue to be governed by the Scottish Procurement Regulations. These regulations include the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016, and the Concession Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016

In practice, this means that the Scottish Government, its agencies, local authorities, Scottish public authorities (including those with mixed devolved and reserved functions but no cross-border functions), universities, colleges, and registered social landlords will continue to be regulated by the Scottish Procurement Regulations. However, UK Government bodies, UK-wide public bodies with cross-border functions, and Scottish public authorities with reserved functions only will be subject to the Procurement Act 2023 for procurements in Scotland.

Wales

There are specific Welsh considerations with the new Procurement Act 2023. The Welsh Government has issued guidance documents that outline the differences and specific requirements for procurement in Wales.

The new Act, along with the Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024, regulates how Devolved Welsh Authorities (DWAs) procure contracts. Some key differences for Wales include:

Publication Requirements: DWAs are not required to publish public contracts or modified contracts valued over £5 million, except where a DWA awards a contract under a reserved (non-devolved) procurement arrangement, such as a framework awarded by Crown Commercial Services (CCS).
Policy Statements: DWAs must have regard to the Wales Procurement Policy Statement (WPPS) rather than the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS). In cases of cross-border collaboration, the applicable policy statement depends on the lead authority or centralised procurement authority.
Contract Award Notices: DWAs are not required to publish the names of unsuccessful suppliers in Contract Award Notices for contracts valued above £5 million, unless the contract was awarded under a reserved (non-devolved) procurement arrangement

These considerations ensure that procurement processes in Wales align with local policies and regulations, promoting transparency and efficiency while accommodating specific regional needs.

Northern Ireland

Finally, there are specific considerations for Northern Ireland within the new Procurement Act 2023. The Act includes exemptions and differences tailored to Northern Ireland’s procurement processes. For instance, the requirement to publish pipeline notices does not apply to a transferred Northern Ireland authority.

Additionally, the requirement to publish a copy of the contract along with the contract details notice does not apply to contracts awarded by a transferred Northern Ireland authority unless it is under a reserved procurement arrangement.

Similarly, the requirement to publish details of contract payments over £30,000 does not apply to public contracts awarded by a transferred Northern Ireland authority unless it is under a reserved procurement arrangement.

These considerations ensure that procurement processes in Northern Ireland align with local policies and regulations, promoting transparency and efficiency while accommodating specific regional needs.

Implementation and Transition

The implementation of the new Procurement Act has been carefully planned to ensure a smooth transition from the existing regime. The Act received Royal Assent in October 2023, and the accompanying Procurement Regulations 2024 have been debated and approved in both Houses of Parliament.

The new regime was initially scheduled to go live on 28 October 2024, but a short delay was announced to allow for the development of a new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) aligned with the government’s strategic priorities.

The NPPS will play a crucial role in guiding the implementation of the new regime, setting out the government’s mission-led procurement strategy. This strategy aims to leverage the full potential of public procurement to deliver value for money, economic growth, and social value.

Frameworks

Frameworks will continue largely as before, but there will be some innovations to increase the flexibility of framework options. The Act refers to ‘frameworks’ rather than ‘framework agreements’, as in the previous legislation, but otherwise they are generally similar.

It also includes open frameworks, which did not previously exist, and which are more flexible than framework agreements under the previous legislation. Open frameworks provide an opportunity for new suppliers to join the framework at least twice during its term, which was not possible under the previous regulations. These changes aim to increase the flexibility and inclusivity of frameworks, making it easier for new suppliers to participate and for contracting authorities to manage their procurement processes more efficiently.

The Act will require contracting authorities to publish a contract award notice following the award of a call-off contract, which was not required under the previous legislation.

Looking Ahead

As the new Procurement Act comes into force, it is essential for both contracting authorities and suppliers to familiarise themselves with the changes and prepare for the new regime. The government has published extensive guidance and resources to support this transition, including factsheets, videos, and training programmes – see links below.

I see the introduction of the new Procurement Act as marking a significant milestone in the evolution of public procurement in the UK. By creating a simpler, more flexible, and transparent system, the Act aims to deliver better outcomes for public sector projects and ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent effectively and efficiently.

Procuring Leisure Developments

If you are looking at procurement routes for your next leisure development then it would be remiss of me not to highlight the UK Leisure Framework (UKLF). As the appointed development partner to the UKLF, Alliance Leisure have delivered more than 100 projects through the Framework, ranging from new build £30m+ projects and large refurbishments, through to minor remodelling works and outdoor pitches. The UKLF is available until 2028 and enables Alliance Leisure to be appointed directly for the scoping, design, refurbishment, construction and development of leisure centres, theatres, play facilities, recreation facilities and sports facilities across the UK public sector.

Find out more about the UK Leisure Framework

Resources

LGA Procurement Hub https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/procurement-hub/transforming-public-procurement

Full Details from legislation.gov.uk https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

Government Guidance Documents https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents

Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024 Explainer https://senedd.wales/media/023ei5ko/sub-ld16524-em-e.pdf

Work Begins on £10m Citadel Leisure Centre Project

Work begins on the £10 million redevelopment of Citadel Leisure Centre at Ayr Harbour in November.

This initial phase will focus on the Citadel’s roof and facade, marking the start of a programme of works at the popular leisure centre, which is set to benefit from an extensive refurbishment.

The refurbishment is set to revolutionise the Citadel Leisure Centre, providing accessible, high-quality sport and leisure facilities for local residents whilst maintaining, and even increasing, the sense of community that has been built by the centre.

The project, which is being completed for South Ayrshire Council, is set to include a new reception area, a new café and kitchen, a new spa facility, refurbished wet and new dry changing rooms, a new family activity hub and party rooms, a two-storey gym, high impact studio, spin studio, and wellness suite, and a new changing places facility, amongst other improvements.

Final designs of the new-look centre were revealed in September following planning approval.

Artist impression of the new Citadel Leisure Centre’s interior at Ayr Harbour

South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark, said:

It’s brilliant to know that we’re now very close to beginning work at the Citadel. These essential exterior works, once complete, will allow us to progress to the interior upgrade when service users will start to see a real improvement to the facility.

The project was procured through the UK Leisure Framework, managed by Denbighshire Leisure, and the team also includes lead contractor Robertson, Axiom as project managers, architects and principal designers Holmes Miller, WSP, and Struer.

South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Buildings, Housing and Environment, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said:

The exterior works on the Citadel will allow us to deliver significant improvements in energy efficiency and extend the lifespan of the centre, while paving the way for the planned interior enhancements. It’ll be great to see the project kick off next month.

Jonny Curley, Director for Scotland at Alliance Leisure, adds:

We are excited to begin work on the transformation of Citadel Leisure Centre. This project will not only address essential repairs but will also improve the overall visitor experience to create a key leisure and recreation destination for residents and visitors alike.

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Burscough Sports Centre Breaks Ground On £3.18 Million Regeneration

Works are underway in West Lancashire to transform Burscough Sports Centre into a thriving leisure, fitness and wellbeing hub, thanks to a £3.18 investment by West Lancashire Borough Council.

Working in partnership with Alliance Leisure, improvements will deliver, a modern, efficient facility that meets the diverse health and wellbeing needs of Burscough residents today and for many generations to come.

We are delighted with the progress of the refurbishment and are looking forward to Burscough sports reopening in early 2025. The changes will not only provide a quality modern offer to the residents of the borough, but they will also help the council to make progress towards its net zero aspirations.

– Councillor Coughlan, Lancashire Borough Council

Renovations will include a completely reimagined layout incorporating a refurbished and extended gym with 70 workout stations and a newly integrated functional training space. This will be complemented by a new indoor cycling studio and a wellbeing space. The sports hall and squash court floors will be refurbished along with extensive improvements to changing rooms and toilets.

Behind the scenes, plant, mechanical, electrical and heating/cooling infrastructure will be upgraded to enhance efficiencies and reduce the facility’s environmental impact.

Seb Rowe, Delivery Manager at Alliance Leisure, had this to say about the impactful project:

Working through the UK Framework which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure, we are partnering with some of the UK’s most experienced leisure specialists to design and deliver this project.

Universal Construction has extensive experience delivering similar projects including working with Alliance on the recently transformed Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (formerly Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre). BGH Architects, based here in the North West, bring many years of experience and local knowledge whilst Hadron Consulting who will oversee project management, already have a close working relationship with the council. Together, we’re dedicated to ensuring this investment has a lasting, transformative impact on the population of Burscough and the surrounding areas

On Thursday, September 26, Alliance Leisure facilitated a Time Capsule Event, to mark the start of transformative refurbishment works at Burscough Sports Centre. It was truly inspiring to see local schoolchildren participate, imagining what it will be like for future generations to rediscover this capsule and reflect on the history and progress of their community.

Councillor Coughlan continues:

Welcoming the pupils of Burscough village was a highlight of the visit. Knowing the school is supporting them to take health and wellbeing seriously, shows that young people are being encouraged to make positive choices. It offers reassurance that providing facilities which meet the needs of the whole community – both now and for generations to come will be well received

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Further enabling works at West Wickham Leisure Centre to help deliver major refurbishment

The next stage of enabling works at West Wickham Leisure Centre have been approved to keep the £16m refurbishment works on track in a substantial boost to the borough’s leisure provision.

Initial enabling works were completed on site over the summer to prepare for the major refurbishment of the centre, which is set to be completed in Spring 2026.

Extensive surveys by specialist teams have swiftly identified additional works that are required as part of the refurbishment, including the removal of additional asbestos that was found in the building. This early identification helps to minimise delays by allowing required works to be coordinated within the existing programme, with additional costs remaining within the planned contingencies for the programme.

This is a necessary step towards the exciting refurbishment of this much-loved centre, which will be an incredible boost to health and wellbeing in the borough. These important initial stages have allowed required works to be identified early in this process, giving us time to adjust for this and prevent major disruption to the programme. This is part of our largest leisure investment in a generation and we are now pressing ahead so that residents can enjoy a greatly improved centre as soon as possible.

Councillor Yvonne Bear

Executive Councillor, Renewal, Recreation and Housing

The refurbishment of West Wickham Leisure Centre is very important to us, as we strive to provide the very best wellness offerings. While Mytime Active is constantly adapting to ensure we provide new opportunities, the quality of our facilities is key, so it’s wonderful to see these plans moving forward. While works take place, we continue to provide classes and activities in the West Wickham area and across the borough. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Bromley council to shape the future of West Wickham Leisure Centre.

Jason Stanton

Chief Executive Officer, Mytime Active

Improvements to the pool, a new café, and enhanced changing rooms with showers and lockers will be provided as part of the refurbishment works. The improved centre will also feature new exercise studios with power-assisted equipment to support with mobility and rehabilitation. New pool pods and Changing Places facilities will also be introduced to enhance accessibility.

The further enabling works were approved by the Executive Councillor following scrutiny by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee. Improvements to the West Wickham facilities and to the refurbishment of the Walnuts leisure centre are being delivered in partnership with Mytime Active.

The West Wickham centre plays an important role in promoting health and wellbeing in the local area. We at Alliance Leisure, are delighted to bring our leisure development expertise to continue the delivery of this exciting transformation of the centre, with major investment from the Council, making it fit for the future. The new facilities will encourage more people to be more active and help improve the health and wellbeing of our local community.

Tom Fairey

Development Director, Alliance Leisure

Alliance Leisure are continuing to deliver the enabling works, and the centre will remain closed throughout the refurbishment, following the discovery of structural issues earlier this year.

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Councillors Impressed During Site Visit to Whitchurch

Councillors Lezley Picton, Peggy Mullock, Gerald Dakin, Tom Biggins, and portfolio holder Cllr Rob Macey were highly impressed by the progress being made on the new Whitechurch Leisure Centre in Shropshire on a recent site visit.

The new multi-million pound facility will boast a six-lane 25m pool with adjustable depth, a 41-station fitness suite and café on the ground floor, complemented by multi-function rooms on the first floor.

It is expected that, in addition to providing vital services to the local community, the state-of-the-art centre will also welcome visitors from surrounding areas, driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for local businesses.

Whilst the build was originally expected to complete in June 2025, contractors Pellikaan now anticipate that it will be finished three months earlier than planned.

Cllr Mullock said:

This is what the town has needed for years.

I’ll be going away to tell people that I’ve seen it and it’s going to be brilliant. It’s going to be for people who are few months old to pensioners and everyone can use it.

The project was procured through the UK Leisure Framework, managed by Denbighshire Leisure, and the team also includes architects Roberts Limbrick, and Axiom as project managers.

New £13.5m Leisure and Learning Hub Spearheads Regeneration in Mablethorpe

The launch of Mablethorpe’s new Station Leisure & Learning Centre marks the start of a once-in-a-generation transformation of the Lincolnshire seaside town. Delivered by Alliance Leisure on behalf of East Lindsey District Council, the development aims to address the town’s poor health and educational outcomes, while delivering benefits for visitors and the local economy.

Mablethorpe’s health ranking is in the lowest 12% of towns in England with significant levels of frailty amongst its older population. The area also suffers with poor levels of educational attainment and skills, while 58% of the working population are economically inactive compared to 20% in England.

The multi-functional community development, designed by lead architects, Pozzoni, was managed by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, with ISG as principle building contractor.

Located on the high street with its own car park, the new £13.5m Station Leisure & Learning Centre replaces Station Sports Centre and provides the town with its first public swimming pool offering swimming lessons, family swims, school swimming and public swim sessions. In addition to the four-lane, 25 metre pool and changing village, the 3,000m² scheme includes a large gym including functional areas and EGYM, multi-purpose studio and group cycling studio as well as a TAGactive indoor adventure area and soft play for younger children.

The centre is also served by a large café, social workspace and The Signal Box; a community space bringing learning to the area. The development offers a new outdoor playground for the community, while a 80kW solar PV array has been installed on the roof with a view to allowing the centre to feed excess electricity back into the grid.

The launch of Station Leisure & Learning Centre marks a turning point for Mablethorpe. The impressive facility will transform this small town, enhancing the health, wellbeing and education of residents, while also acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration.

Sean Nolan, Business Development Manager, Alliance Leisure

The development has been funded by £7.5m from the Towns Fund, with match funding from East Lindsey District Council after the Connected Coast Town Deal Board secured £23.9m of Towns Fund investment for the town. East Lindsey District Council, part of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership with Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council, led the development.

Cllr Richard Fry, Political Lead for Station Leisure & Learning Centre at East Lindsey District Council, said:

I am delighted that close working with all partners has seen this high-quality and transformational facility for Mablethorpe completed on schedule and to budget. This facility is a beacon of what can be achieved through collaboration.

The benefits Station Leisure & Learning Centre will bring to local people will be far reaching and long lasting. For the first time, people in Mablethorpe of all ages will be able to access a swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness facilities without the need to travel, giving more people the opportunity to improve their mental wellbeing and fitness as well as to learn to swim. This venue will really make a difference to people from the local area and I thank all our partners who worked on this project for creating a leisure and learning facility we can all be proud of.

Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture operates the new centre on behalf of the council.

Aeneas Richardson, Executive Director, Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure & Culture, said:

This project provides a shining example of collaborative, partnership working from initial public consultation to final build completion and future operation. We will seek to further develop a quality, fun, community meeting place and generate, improved health & wellbeing (both physically and mentally), personal skill development, improve professional & educational capability and vocational training opportunities leading to improved employment prospects, better prospects for jobs and longer-term, year-round career opportunities.

Station Leisure & Learning Centre is one of six regeneration projects planned for Mablethorpe. Designed to improve leisure, learning, travel and the overall experience of the town, the projects include improvements to the town centre, a sustainable visitor hub at Sandilands Nature Reserve and a new pavilion, café and restaurant for the seafront.

Meanwhile, £24.5m is funding seven transformational projects in nearby Skegness, with £21.9m being invested in Boston to regenerate the Lincolnshire coastline.

The Station Leisure & Learning Centre will offer state-of-the-art facilities for the local community, including Mablethorpe’s first public swimming pool, as well as new fitness and learning amenities. This investment underscores the importance of providing exceptional benefits to support the health and wellbeing of local residents. The project also highlights a broader commitment to creating spaces that foster community engagement and development.

In line with the focus on building stronger communities, a piece of street art was commissioned, with contributions from 173 young people. This initiative aims to inspire more young people in the area to take an interest in art. Additionally, throughout the project, the team has volunteered their services to residents, assisting with tasks such as grass cutting, fencing, and various other activities.

Craig Savage, Alliance Framework Lead, ISG

Steel Works Complete at Wilson’s Sports Village

On Wednesday July 24, 2024, Alliance Leisure was joined by construction company, ISG; architects, Pozzoni and project managers, Axiom on the site of the £12 million new build sport and leisure complex at Wilson’s Playing Fields, Clayton- le-Moors to mark the completion of the building’s steel structure.

The event coincided with the unveiling of the Borough’s plans to launch an Active Environment Strategy which saw a number of local Place Partners including Hyndburn Leisure and Sport England at the new build development site.

It’s absolutely fantastic to see this development taking shape. Now that the steel frame is in place, you can visualise the size of the building and how it will complement the surrounding active spaces.

Once completed, the facility will further enhance the sport and physical activity opportunities for the community, making it a fitting location to share plans of the new Active Environment Strategy, designed to encourage more people to adopt active lifestyles.

Tom Gardner, Business Development Manager, Alliance Leisure

Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of the Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, adds:

Wilson Sports Village is the result of a £12 million investment by the Council, including £2.4 million contribution from Sport England via its Strategic Facilities Fund to deliver leisure facilities and services that are inclusive and diverse in their appeal.

Our vision is to create opportunities for everyone in our community to be able to access and enjoy an active lifestyle. Working with Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, has enabled us to employ expertise at every stage of the design and development to create a physical activity hub that fully complements the surrounding pitches, woodland and athletics track.

The build project in Clayton-le Moors is set to complete in Spring 2025. Head to the end of this article to see a render of what the future site will looks like.

Wilson Sports Village will offer a range of targeted facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool, a fitness suite, sauna & steam room, multi-purpose studio, café, large changing village and dedicated changing facilities that will service the outdoor sports facilities.

Wilson Sports Village has been designed to accommodate everyone. The facilities, housed within a single storey building, reflect the Council’s ambition to support all individuals, including those with a disability and/or long-term health conditions. The Leisure Trust are working alongside the Together an Active Future, Place Partnership and the Activity Alliance, to appoint a team, of ‘Let Me Move’ champions to enhance our engagement with people with a disability and/or additional needs.

Hyndburn has some of the worst levels of inactivity and obesity in England resulting in lower health expectancy rates and poor quality of health and wellbeing for residents. We are working closely with the council and local partners to tackle these statistics. This is what the development of the Wilson Sports Village and the new ‘Active Environment Strategy’ is all about so it is fantastic to be able to bring partners together, here on site, and get a real feel for how our vision for change is playing out into reality.

Lyndsey Sims, Chief Executive, Hyndburn Leisure

Speaking of the development, Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place at Sport England, says

The Wilson Sports Village is a testament to both the Council’s and Sport England’s commitment to health and wellbeing.

With the help of £2.4m of Sport England funding via the National Lottery, is genuinely a landmark development for Hyndburn, with the ambition for the Sports village to be a catalyst to help more people, of all abilities, get physically active for the benefit of their wellbeing. It is particularly pleasing to see the development of their Active Environment Strategy alongside the facility to ensure people have the opportunity to move in their outdoor places and spaces.

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