Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) has lost the contract to manage leisure facilities across central Bedfordshire - just weeks after losing the contract to manage leisure facilities in Stevenage, which it had held for 25 years.
In both instances, SLL has lost out to Everyone Active, which has been awarded 10-year contracts with Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) and Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC).
In Stevenage, from April 1, Everyone Active will take over management of Stevenage Swimming Centre, the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre, Fairlands Valley Outdoor Activity Centre, and Stevenage Golf and Conference Centre.
From April 1, Everyone Active will also begin running CBC's six leisure centres, as well as The Grove Theatre in Dunstable and The Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre.
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"Having a single experienced provider managing the leisure centres and theatres will offer a consistent service that is customer-focused and engaged with the needs of the community," CBC said.
SBC said its contract with SLL "was out-of-date, and the leisure market and user demand had changed considerably over the past 24 years".
Richard Allan, SLL's CEO, said “SLL are disappointed", but are "working with Everyone Active to ensure a seamless transfer, and can guarantee it is business as usual for customers at all the facilities”.
Dan Hicks, Everyone Active’s regional contract manager, said they "are looking forward to many successful years ahead".
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