Council to ensure future of Leisure Services in Hyndburn for the next 30 years
Council to ensure future of Leisure Services in Hyndburn for the next 30 years
Hyndburn Borough Council’s Cabinet will approve a number of measures next week with the aim of securing future leisure provision in Hyndburn for the next 30 years. The move will ensure Hyndburn continues to benefit from modern, quality leisure services post the reorganisation of local government, which will see new unitary authorities in place across Lancashire from April 2028.
New 30-year lease agreements will be approved for Hyndburn Leisure to continue to operate the borough’s two main leisure facilities; Hyndburn Leisure Centre and The Cath Thom Leisure Centre, which opened last year after a £12.9 million investment by the Council and Sport England. Hyndburn Leisure has already recently signed a new 15-year lease agreement for Mercer Hall, which is currently undergoing a significant investment programme from the Council, managed by the Trust, with support for the community.
Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of the Council said:
“We are delighted to be securing the future of leisure services in Hyndburn. We have some fantastic facilities in Hyndburn which the Council have invested in significantly. The Cath Thom Leisure Centre is exceeding all usage forecasts, attendances at Hyndburn Leisure Centre are on the up and Hyndburn Leisure continue to secure external funding for the repurposing of Mercer Hall, which recently reopened its doors.
Agreeing new long-term leases with Hyndburn Leisure allows the Trust to plan for the future, unlocks additional opportunities of external funding for future improvements and ensures the future provision of quality leisure facilities and services in Hyndburn for the next 30 years”.
Hyndburn Leisure has been operating the Council’s leisure facilities since April 2002 and currently manage various venues including Hyndburn Leisure Centre, The Cath Thom Leisure Centre and Wilson Sports Village, Mercer Hall in Great Harwood, Accrington Town Hall and other community facilities on behalf of the Council. Thousands of residents use Hyndburn Leisure facilities and benefit from services they run throughout the year. Notable outputs for 2025 include:
- 4,516 children taken part in subsidised school holiday swims
- 29,407 attendances at group fitness classes
- 20% increase in fitness memberships
- 1 tonnes of carbon saved by moving to green energy
- £549,000 of external funded secured to improve facilities
- 2,000 hours of holiday activity club delivered
- 153 clubs and groups hosted across Hyndburn Leisure operated sites
- £19.5m of social and economic value generated
The decision to be taken comes on the back of new investment in sports development which was announced as part of the Council’s 2026/27 budget agreed last month. The Council is investing £90,000 over 2 years to create a new Sports Development Officer role, with an additional £100,000 budget used to support grassroots sports clubs; establish a benevolent fund to provide targeted support to individuals, clubs or community groups where cost would otherwise prevent engagement; and secure a long-term sports legacy for Hyndburn. The Council’s Cabinet will agree to passport this funding over to Hyndburn Leisure, who have the relevant expertise and experience to deliver the service on behalf of the Council. Hyndburn Leisure will start the recruitment for a new Sports Development Officer shortly.
Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport said:
“This investment marks a major step forward in our commitment to grassroots sport across Hyndburn. By creating a new Sports Development Officer and supporting grassroots sports through the establishments of a benevolent fund, we are making sure that cost is never a barrier to participation. Whether it’s helping a young person access kit, supporting a local club through a difficult period, or backing community groups to grow, this fund will provide targeted, meaningful support where it’s needed most.
We want to build a long-term sports legacy for our borough. One that strengthens clubs, nurtures local talent and ensures every resident has the chance to take part in sport and physical activity. Partnering with Hyndburn Leisure means this programme will be delivered by experts who understand our communities and are already working at the heart of local sport. This is a real investment in people, in opportunity and in the future of sport in Hyndburn”.
Three additional services, the Holiday Active Fund, Weight Management and Smokefree Programmes will also be delivered by Hyndburn Leisure upon Cabinet agreement next week. The Council receives direct funding from Lancashire County Council for these programmes, which have for a number of years previously been delivered successfully by Hyndburn Leisure. Funding for the delivery of the Holiday Activity Fund, which last year supported over 2,200 children from Hyndburn with free holiday clubs; and the Smokefree programme funding will be transferred to Hyndburn Leisure. Meanwhile, Hyndburn Leisure were successful in an open tender for the delivery of weight management services for this year with an option to extend until 2029.
Councillor Melissa Fisher, Deputy Leader of the Council said:
“Leisure services play a vital role in the lives of many of our residents, and we recognise the need to invest in them. We demonstrated this with a significant investment in the new Cath Thom Leisure Centre, which is already proving hugely successful having gained over 1,600 members in just 6 months of opening against a target of 1,000 in two years.
There is a clear need in Hyndburn to ensure leisure services are affordable for everyone. Levels of deprivation in Hyndburn are high and many suffer from poor health outcomes”.
As previously reported to the Council’s Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Hyndburn Leisure has accumulated some debts with the Council as a result of several factors including the decision taken in 2010 to reduce the annual management fee to zero; a significant increase in operating costs arising from COVID 19 including unprecedented increases in utility costs; and costs associated with the operation of Mercer Hall after the closure of the pool in 2022. In order to ensure Hyndburn Leisure have a sound financial footing going forwards, these debts will be written off.
Councillor Melissa Fisher added:
“Leisure Trusts across the country receive annual subsidies from councils and as we move towards Local Government Reorganisation, it is vital that we invest in leisure to ensure the residents of Hyndburn receive an equal or better service to other residents from across East Lancashire.
Additional funding has therefore been set aside to ensure the future of leisure services in Hyndburn.”
The Council and Hyndburn Leisure have also agreed that it would be in the best interests of both parties for the running of Accrington Town Hall to be returned to the Council upon expiry of the current lease in March 2027. This will allow the Council to develop the Town Hall offer alongside its wider cultural and events programme, linking with activity at Accrington Market, DOME, and Burtons Chambers.