Gloucester City Council has announced that national leisure trust, Freedom Leisure, is the new interim provider for leisure facilities across Gloucester, after its previous facilitator, Aspire Sports Trust, went into liquidation.
Freedom Leisure already operates leisure services across Gloucestershire, including centres in Cinderford, Lydney, Newent and Bourton-on-the-Water.
With plans to fully reopen facilities soon, Freedom Leisure will manage the services until a permanent operator is appointed. It will also be contacting local sports clubs to discuss their requirements in the meantime, to ensure their valued activities can continue on.
As part of a phased reopening, GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester has already welcomed back Gloucester City Swimming Club and the University of Gloucestershire has fully reopened the sports arena at its Oxtalls campus for community use.
Cabinet member for culture and leisure at Gloucester City Council, Councillor Andy Lewis, said: 'We are delighted to have Freedom Leisure as our new interim provider and have been impressed with their enthusiasm and dedication to getting this right for everybody.
'We know this has been tough time for the employees and freelancers who worked there, and those who rely on the centre, but we’re confident that Freedom Leisure will make this transition seamless and get things up and running as soon as they can.'
All former Aspire employees, as well as those who freelanced at the leisure centres, are guaranteed an interview under the new management and are being invited to a recruitment day taking place on Monday 6 November 2023 at Oxtalls Sports Park in Gloucester.
The day will consist of three interview sessions taking place at 11am, 1pm and 6pm and all those interested in attending should register via the Freedom Leisure website.
