Somerset Council has committed £370,000 to keep five leisure centres operational after their managing operator, Fusion Leisure, entered administration earlier this month.
The council oversees 16 leisure facilities across Somerset, operated under various contracts and leases inherited from former local authorities after their dissolution in April 2023. Fusion Leisure, which managed five sites in the former Mendip area, went into administration on April 1, with S&W Partners LLP appointed as joint administrators.
To prevent disruption to public access, the council has provisionally funded these five centres for the next three months while searching for a new operator. This interim support ensures gyms and swimming pools in Frome, Glastonbury, Street, and Wells remain open, and the Shepton Mallet lido is set to open as scheduled in May.
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Fusion Leisure, a registered charity, cited persistent financial challenges including rising costs, diminished government funding, and ongoing post-pandemic recovery pressures. Prior to administration, the council had anticipated potential issues, allocating £370,000 from its corporate contingency reserve to safeguard leisure services on a short-term basis.
The recently refurbished Tor Leisure Centre, which reopened in February 2025 following a £2.2 million upgrade partly funded by the Glastonbury town deal, continues to serve the community.
Council officials emphasize their commitment to fostering environments that promote healthier lifestyles through access to leisure, open spaces, and cultural opportunities. Sara Skirton, the council’s director for partnerships, localities and culture, highlighted the importance of maintaining services that bolster residents’ mental and physical well-being.
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities and culture, stressed the urgency of securing a new operator, assuring residents that services will continue as normal during the transition. Regular users are encouraged to maintain their memberships, which will carry over to any new contractor.
Local MP Anna Sabine has actively campaigned for the Frome Leisure Centre’s future, highlighting longstanding issues such as unreliable service and inadequate maintenance that have affected the community’s access to facilities. She has launched a petition calling for the centre’s preservation, underscoring its importance for local schools, sports, and community health.
Councillor Adam Boyden echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the centre’s role in providing sports and fitness opportunities vital to the local population. Both he and Ms. Sabine are committed to supporting the community’s voice in securing the leisure centre’s future and addressing recent concerns.
The council’s intervention marks a crucial step in safeguarding these essential community resources while a sustainable long-term solution is pursued.