Somerset leisure staff praised for keeping centres open

By Laura Linham 2nd Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 3 hours ago

Staff at five east Somerset leisure centres have been thanked for keeping services running during months of uncertainty after the previous operator went into administration.

Somerset Council said teams at Wells Leisure Centre, Shepton Mallet Lido, Tor Sports and Leisure Centre in Glastonbury, Strode Swimming and Fitness in Street and Frome Leisure Centre had continued to deliver services while new arrangements were put in place.

Freedom Leisure began running the centres on Wednesday, 1 July, under a two-year interim contract with Somerset Council. The council said there are no immediate changes to memberships, pricing or day-to-day provision, with customers able to continue using their local centres as normal.

The new arrangement follows Fusion Lifestyle going into administration earlier this year. Somerset Council said the short-term focus is on maintaining safe, accessible and well-run facilities so communities can continue to use gyms, swimming pools and leisure programmes without disruption.

The council said it wanted to recognise the professionalism and resilience shown by staff across the centres during the transition. Teams continued to run services for residents, centre users and families while the future operating arrangements were being worked through.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council's lead member for communities, said: "We are very pleased to have secured continuity for these leisure centres which are so important for health and wellbeing.

"We recognise that this has been a difficult time for staff and customers, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience and dedication.

"These arrangements provide stability and reassurance. Our priority is to ensure that residents can continue to access the leisure services they rely on, while we work in partnership to support the long-term future of these centres."

Freedom Leisure already runs leisure services in other parts of Somerset, including Yeovil, Wincanton, Chard and Bridgwater. Under the new arrangement, it will work with the council to support staff, maintain operating standards and respond to local needs.

A spokesperson for Freedom Leisure said: "We are delighted to be working with Somerset Council to support leisure services in the east of the county.

"Our immediate priority is to ensure a smooth transition and maintain services for customers. We will be visible on site, supporting staff and listening to feedback, while working with the Council to understand longer-term opportunities."

Somerset Council and Freedom Leisure said their future priorities include maintaining safe and reliable services, supporting staff and customers through the transition, addressing operational priorities and essential maintenance, and gathering feedback from users and communities.

Freedom Leisure is a charitable not-for-profit leisure trust which manages more than 130 leisure and cultural facilities across England and Wales. The organisation says its surpluses are reinvested to support local community facilities and its mission is to improve lives through leisure.

Customers can continue to use their local centres as normal. Further information is available from Freedom Leisure.