Leisure centre to reopen under new management

A community leisure centre that closed suddenly earlier this month is set to reopen under new management.

Filton Leisure Centre on the outskirts of Bristol was shut on 3 April and handed to Filton Town Council when owner Active Nation ceased operating, citing "ongoing financial challenges and other unforeseen circumstances".

The site will reopen as Elm Park Leisure Centre, the council announced, although it did not say on what date.

The authority said a community interest company called Elm Park Leisure was being formed to temporarily oversee the centre's operations in partnership with Circadian Trust, which manages leisure centres across south Gloucestershire.

The council will soon be launching a formal tender process to find a long term provider.

In a statement, a council spokesperson said the arrangements would help to "rebuild a community-led, commercially viable and sustainable leisure service".

Some locals who bought memberships before the closure have voiced concerns about refunds.

Filton Town Council said pre-paid members would be offered Citizens Advice sessions.

Council staff also said they were unable to view membership data directly.

In a separate statement, a spokesperson said the council was working on proposals to "offer a gesture of goodwill" to members.

The statement said the council believes Active Nation has not yet entered the formal process of administration.

"If this changes, we will issue further guidance to support members and suppliers in navigating any claim process," the council added.

Active Nation, which completed a £4.5million refurbishment of the centre in March 2024, was approached for comment.

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