GL1 bosses got ten per cent pay rise while trust struggled financially

The centre has three bidders to run GL1, and it is set to re-open.

Author: Harry LongPublished 23rd Oct 2023

Bosses in charge of Gloucester's GL1 leisure centre received pay rises before closing it down

Operator's Aspire had half a million pounds of debt when they gave a 10 per cent rise due to the cost of living crisis.

The centre has three bidders to run GL1, and it is set to re-open.

In response, Aspire say it was to help their employees deal with the cost of living crisis - but City councillors have branded it irresponsible.

Cllr Sajid Patel said: “It’s absolutely irresponsible and outrageous for the board to be awarding the CEO and other senior management ten per cent pay rises when they are in financial trouble,” he said.

“On the one hand they’re in financial difficulties and on the other they are giving themselves pay rises.”

Aspire bosses said at the end of September that they had to take the difficult decision to go into liquidation as they felt unable to trade legally as a going concern.

The charity said it has faced increasing financial pressures in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic and the rapid rise in utility costs and inflation.

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