Community invited to celebrate launch of Southwark Leisure

20 June 2023

After months of preparation, Southwark Council will take direct control of its eight leisure centres this Wednesday (21 June 2023). This marks the end of the council’s longstanding contract with leisure centre operator, Everyone Active.

The leisure centres will be run by the council, under the name Southwark Leisure.

The Council’s Leader, Kieron Williams; Southwark’s Chief Executive, Althea Loderick; and Councillor Catherine Rose, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Leisure and Parks will  be at Castle Leisure Centre to welcome the first customers.

All centres will open the doors at 12:00pm (except Surrey Docks Fitness & Watersport Centre which will open at 09:00) to commence the new service. 

The change in management structure reflects the council’s ambition to deliver a more resident-focused service and reduce health inequalities in the borough. The immediate focus will be to maintain the current opportunities residents enjoy while enhancing leisure services in the long term.

Councillor Catherine Rose, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Leisure and Parks, said: “We’re excited to bring our leisure centres in-house, as we promised our residents less than two years ago. It’s amazing what has been achieved. This is a decisive and bold step towards enhancing the wellbeing of our residents with full control of our leisure centres. It is a key element to improving the public health and well-being of all our residents, whatever their age and mobility.

“This paves the way for a more community focused service. The opportunity to develop a fully integrated service with our parks, sports pitches and all facilities will allow us to respond to the priorities and needs of local people. There is something for everybody in our leisure service.

“At the time when leisure services have been cut nationally, we’re continuously investing in services that enrich the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents. Beyond our leisure centres, we are promoting healthy living through well maintained green spaces and parks and community driven health and sporting events.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure a seamless transition, I want to thank all our leisure centre staff, their unions and representative groups who have been focused and dedicated to making this transition happen. I am proud that they are now part of our council workforce.

“Some hiccups may arise but we ask residents to bear with us, knowing that staff will work tireless to rectify any issues promptly.”

Following the initial settling-in period, the council will be injecting investment into the centres to upgrade gym equipment, bolster the class offering and develop services.

Bucking the trend of leisure centre closures, Southwark Council is committed to investing in leisure provision with exciting plans for a brand new leisure centre in Canada Water by 2025.

A new dedicated website for Southwark’s leisure services has been launched. Residents can book classes on our website at www.southwarkleisure.co.uk or via the app.

Page last updated: 21 June 2023