Leisure centre and lido operator enters administration
EPAA charity that runs several leisure centres and swimming pools in England has entered administration.
Fusion Lifestyle announced on 1 April that it had appointed administrators after a "prolonged period of financial difficulty".
The operator said it had "collaborated closely with local authorities to explore viable options" and many councils had agreed to keep facilities open during a transition period.
Memberships remained active and scheduled activities would continue, according to Fusion.
The charity, which has its headquarters in Dartford, Kent, cited "rising operational costs, reduced government funding, and post-pandemic recovery challenges" as the causes of its financial struggles.
It said it had "made significant attempts to introduce new funding" that had been unsuccessful.
The government was contacted for comment.
The City of London Corporation said that Golden Lane Sports and Fitness Centre, which had been run by Fusion, would close after 30 April.
It said it was looking into continuing the use of tennis courts at the site and "local alternatives for centre 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," according to the corporation.
Fusion said administrators S&W Partners aimed to find new operators take over its other leisure centres.
Its other facilities, which remain open, are:
- Five facilities including gyms and pools in the east of Somerset
- Six leisure centres in Devon, including in Dartmouth and Totnes
- Centres 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 said Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust would take over management of its facilities once a handover date was agreed.
"Since learning they may be experiencing financial difficulties the council has been exploring options to get the best outcome for residents," the local authority said.
Lambeth Council said its own operator Active Lambeth would take over management of Brockwell Lido from 1 July.
According to West Devon Council, Parkwood Leisure would take over Meadowlands Leisure Centre in Tavistock and Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton after the council awarded a short-term contract.
Charnwood Borough Council said its planned upgrade to heating at Loughborough Leisure Centre was not impacted.
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