Stevenage Leisure Ltd at risk of losing North Herts Council contract

Stevenage Leisure Limited, known as SLL, runs swimming pools and gyms on behalf of North Herts Council as part of a contract which is due to end in 2024.

At a meeting on Tuesday, March 14, the authority’s cabinet voted to invite firms to bid for its next contract, rather than renew the existing arrangements.

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So far this year, SLL has lost contracts in next-door Stevenage and Central Bedfordshire.

Councillor Steve Jarvis said the new tender process will allow North Herts Council to embed into the contract a new leisure strategy for its venues – which include Royston Leisure Centre, Letchworth Outdoor Pool and filming location for Harry Styles’ My Policeman, Hitchin Outdoor Pool.

Councillor Steve Jarvis enjoying the new saunas at North Herts Leisure Centre last year (Image: North Herts Council)

The new contract would last for 10 years and SLL can bid for the new contract.

“There are a number of options as to how the new operator may choose to deliver leisure services in line with our strategy,” Cllr Jarvis said.

“We clearly need to be open to the market place with this sort of length of contract and deal with the sort of issues the industry expects if we don’t get a reasonable selection of bids.

“That also applies with the principle of sharing some of the risks associated with maintenance and utility costs.

“If we were not prepared to share some risks there, we would probably find ourselves faced with considerably less attractive bids.

“This is a start of a process I hope will secure us a leisure operator which will enable us to take forward our leisure facilities, and ensure they provide continuing and improving facilities for all the people in the district.”

An SLL spokesperson said: “SLL are aware of the decision North Herts Council have made for the procurement of the leisure services and will be considering the opportunity.”