Warnings of price hikes at West Sussex leisure centres
An operator's hinted it's necessary to recoup soaring energy costs
Last updated 17th Aug 2022
Arun leisure centres could increase prices in order to meet a number of ‘imminent challenges’.
Freedom Leisure, which operates Arun Leisure Centre, Bognor Regis, and The Wave, Littlehampton, has said it could increase prices to meet ongoing challenges.
The non-profit has run centres on behalf of Arun District Council since 2016 but in recent years pandemic closures, rising energy costs, and chemical shortages have taken a toll.
Freedom Leisure representatives outlined the ongoing challenges at a council meeting in July, with managing director Ivan Horsfall-Turner telling councillors that prices will ‘absolutely need to increase’.
“A spike in utilities is a major issue for a service such as ours for which utility costs are the second largest cost,” said Mr Horsfall-Turner.
“When we scaled this up across our organisation we were looking at additional pressure next year of £6 million in terms of utilities.
“It looks as though it may be in the region of £12 million now. ”
Mr Horsfall-Turner said the trust would continue to take ‘mitigating action’ but added that there would be ‘hard choices’ ahead.
Freedom Leisure will consider reducing opening hours at quieter times at its Arun centres; pool and air temperatures could be adjusted; and LED lighting will be introduced to save on energy costs.
Despite visitor numbers almost returning to pre-pandemic levels, the trust reported that memberships had ‘not recovered as quickly as hoped’, remaining at 80 per cent.
Freedom Leisure’s income was also around £70,000 per month lower than before the pandemic.
Mr Horsfall-Turner gave reassurances that concessions would continue to be offered to those who need them in the event of price increases.
This is particularly important as 43 per cent of adults in Arun are not doing the recommended amount of exercise and 61 per cent are overweight or obese.
Despite the challenges, Freedom Leisure has seen a number of successful programmes and active communities manager Charlotte Simpson outlined the trust’s progress towards making leisure more accessible.
This includes working with children in disadvantaged areas and older people living in sheltered housing.
Enrolment in the ‘Learn to Swim’ programme has also exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
Pauline Gregory (LDem, Rustington West) congratulated the trust on its successes during a challenging period.
“It’s good to note the table of attendances to our leisure facilities and that public confidence is building,” she said.
“The introduction and extension of activities for pre-school children has notable success and, at the other end of the age range, I applaud the Stronger for Longer programme running in our sheltered housing units.
“Well done Freedom Leisure, considering the impact there has been on the industry nationally and locally.”