Hunt starts for firm to run leisure centres

A company is wanted to run Shropshire Council's leisure centres for the next decade.

The current contract with Shropshire Community Leisure Trust ends in July 2027 and the local authority said they wanted to agree the next deal by the start of the year.

The added that this would "allow plenty of time to put changes in place before August 2027 and ensure a smooth transition".

The new contract will include two extra sites which were not included in the previous deal - Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Fitness Centre and Ludlow Leisure Centre.

The council said the centre in Cleobury Mortimer, which had been under threat of closure because of funding issues, would remain open until the new deal was agreed.

It would be kept running by Teme Leisure, Cleobury Mortimer Town Council and the local community over that period, they added.

Ludlow Leisure Centre would be included when its own lease expires in 2029.

James Owen, the councillor responsible for leisure, said it was an "exciting opportunity" for businesses.

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust employs Serco to manage the centres and the existing contact was set up in 2013.

Owen said the council would ensure the new deal gave the best possible value for money for taxpayers.

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