The operator of the city’s leisure centres has asked the council for support after operating costs rose by more than £1 million a year.

Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit trust that runs seven of Brighton and Hove’s leisure facilities on behalf of the council, has asked for a range of measures to provide practical support to allow it to continue offering services for local communities.

The company said that the rising cost of energy and other utilities will result in a rise in costs estimated at more than £1 million a year across all Freedom Leisure sites, despite the recent support package by central government to cap energy prices.

Seven leisure centres are affected: 

  • Prince Regent Swimming Complex in Church Road
  • Stanley Deason Leisure Centre in Wilson Avenue
  • Withdean Sports Complex in Tongdean Lane
  • St Luke’s Swimming Pool in St Luke’s Terrace
  • Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre in Moulsecoomb Way 
  • King Alfred Leisure Centre in Kingsway
  • Portslade Sports Centre in Chalky Road.

Freedom Leisure has already taken steps to reduce energy consumption to save money, including reducing opening hours, changes to operating temperatures for boilers, hot water systems and air conditioning, and a review of pool filter backwash programmes.

Measures being proposed include changes to Christmas opening times, closing saunas at Withdean and a payment holiday for the solar electricity by recently installed panels at two leisure centres.

Longer-term, a soft play facility at Withdean Sports Complex is being considered as a way of generating additional income, with parking charges at Withdean Sports Complex for non-site customers also being considered.

The council’s tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee will consider the range of measures, as well as further potential steps to be reviewed and implemented if required, depending on the developing financial situation.

Councillor Martin Osborne, chairman of the committee, said: “The sustainability of public sport and leisure facilities is vital to the health and wellbeing of our residents and, quite simply, Freedom Leisure needs support to make changes that safeguard the services they provide.

“The cost of living crisis is a national issue and rising energy prices are affecting leisure centres up and down the country.

“The covid pandemic has already had a devastating impact on public support and leisure services and the economic, health and social value they generate.

“Action must be taken now. To do nothing could result in a much greater reduction of leisure services in the long term.”

Freedom Leisure has been contacted for comment.