Fusion Lifestyle, which operated five facilities across Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells, went into administration on April 1 after experiencing “significant financial difficulties” following the coronavirus pandemic.
Somerset Council provided £370,000 of interim funding to keep the five sites open for a further three months, while it races to procure a new provider to run each of the facilities from early-July.
Officers have now confirmed that two companies who already operate numerous sites in Somerset are interested in taking on the Fusion facilities, with the initial contract being for two years.
However, the council has warned customers to be cautious about how many short-term improvements could be reasonably carried out over that period.
Fusion Lifestyle, which is a registered charity, managed the following locations within the former Mendip area:
- Frome Leisure Centre, Princess Anne Road, Frome
- Shepton Mallet Lido, Shaftgate Avenue, Shepton Mallet
- Strode Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, Strode Street, Street
- Tor Sports and Leisure Centre, Oriel Drive, Glastonbury
- Wells Leisure Centre, Charter Way, Wells
Each of these locations was operated on a 50-year lease after the contract was awarded to Fusion by Mendip District Council back in 2015.
Since Fusion entered administration, the council has been working rapidly to secure a new operator, with bids being evaluated by the end of May and a contract due to be awarded in early-June.
A detailed discussion of the Fusion contracts took place when the council’s communities scrutiny committee met in Taunton on Thursday morning (April 30).
Stuart Winslow, the council’s culture and leisure manager, said: “We are looking at a short-term stabilisation of two years.
“That gives us the opportunity to do a more formal leisure review, take stock of our facilities, look at investment and then potentially go out for a more traditional, open market procurement.”
Mr Winslow confirmed that two providers were being considered to run the facilities: Everyone Active (which currently runs facilities in the former Somerset West and Taunton area, including Taunton Pool and Wellington Sports Centre) and Freedom Leisure (which currently runs facilities in the former Sedgemoor and South Somerset areas, including the 1610 gyms in Bridgwater and Chard).
He added: “We did a little bit of soft market testing, and both operators informed us that should the opportunity arise, they would both be very keen.
“We know our facilities are very well used – participation levels are really good (for instance, we have lots of children having swimming lessons), so it’s quite attractive for an operator.
“In a way, Somerset didn’t contribute to Fusion’s downfall, because it was a good contract for them.”
Councillor Edric Hobbs (Liberal Democrat, Mendip Hills) queried whether the new leisure provider would be providing any short-term investment in improving any of the facilities.
He said: “I live opposite Shepton Mallet Lido and I’m well aware it’s the only leisure facility we have. People were very jittery that we would lose our seasonal swimming pool.
“I’ve seen lots of questions online in relation to lack of investment over the years. Are there plans for short-term investment in any of the facilities, or would that be left for a couple of years until you’ve secured a long-term contract?”
Dan Webb, the council’s head of service for culture and leisure, responded: “In terms of overall investment, this is exactly why we’re doing condition surveys.
“It’s an opportunity for us over this two-year period to get under the skin and see what might be needed.
“We will work towards a strategy for the long term for leisure provision. We will work with the new operator to ensure that the essentials are in place.
“We can’t commit to anything new and exciting in terms of investment, but we do have good working relationships both with Freedom Leisure and Everyone Active, who have both invested in the facilities they currently managed in Somerset.”
Councillor Adam Boyden (Lib Dem, Frome North) said that urgent improvements were needed at Frome Leisure Centre, arguing its standard had declined since the pandemic.
He said: “When Fusion won the contract in 2015, it was very good in the early days – they put a lot of money into Frome and Wells, and stopped us having to subsidise the lido.
“What’s led to this problem now is covid, where the leisure centres were closed for several months but had to be maintained to keep the pool safe. There’s been a drop in member, use and income.
“It’s been very evident that in the last few years, and particularly in the last few months, Fusion has been unable to adequately maintain Frome Leisure Centre, in terms of cleanliness, health and safety and general maintenance.”
Councillor Marcus Kravis (Lib Dem, Dunster) suggested that bringing leisure services back in-house would be a better option in the long run.
He said: “Are we in danger of an ever-increasing workload, if this is for two years and then we’ve got to do it all again?
“Call me old-fashioned, but if we can’t provide swimming pools, public toilets and social housing, then frankly what are we here for?”
“Shall we go back to the old days – I’m not joining Reform UK, honest– and bring it in house, so we have more control?”
The council will announce which company will take on the new leisure contract in early-June, with the winning bidder formally taking control in the first week in July.