Spelthorne Colleague Newsletter

Dear Colleague,

SPELTHORNE CONTRACT NEWSLETTER

We are as I write this, entering the last weeks for the final full year within the Spelthorne Contract. In late 2023, we were unfortunately notified that Everyone Active will not be the operator for the new 10 year leisure contract and Places Leisure will be taking over operations.

As you may know, the handover was originally expected to take place in June 2024 however Everyone Active have been notified this handover will not take place for some time beyond June and currently, Everyone Active are cautiously working to a September/ October 2024 timeline.

Beyond the contract changes, 2023-24 has so far been a strong and successful year; footfall is up 8.5% across the both centres with more community programmes that have taken place including external gym sessions around local parks outside our centres and the reintroduction of Friday Night Project internally at both of our centres. Sunbury scored an ‘Excellent’ Quest review with Spelthorne only missing out on the same grade due to the natural age and wear and tear associated with a centre being imminently replaced. We have had well attended colleague social’s for Christmas and the Colleague awards that have made the working relationship between colleagues greatly improve.

SunburyLeisureCentre

NurseryRoad,Sunbury-On-Thames, TW166LG

T|01932772287

Spelthorne Leisure Centre

Knowle Green, Staines-Upon-Thames, TW18 1AJ

T | 01784 493 493

FINANCIAL COMMUNITIES

The contract is having a strong financial year with revenue increasing 8.3% year on year despite core fitness products not seeing a price increase. Colleague costs have increased 17.3% year on year due to areas of growth in the business which is the main expenditure line where we have seen significant costs growth.

Overall the contract is operating at 17% above budget and is operating at 39.6% growth in operating profit year on year.

Utilities continue to see a fluctuation in the market prices which is having an impact on performance however there is overall a significant drop in costs and consumption through healthy practices leading to a 37% reduction in utility costs year on year.

With the year so far, we do expect the final 2 months to be strong and we will continue to trade business as usual for the foreseeable future beyond the end of the financial year until a clearer understanding of timelines is gained. With the above we expect to finish ahead of our 495k profit target with a strong margin above 14%.

SunburyLeisureCentre

NurseryRoad,Sunbury-On-Thames, TW166LG

T|01932772287

Our communities have seen change and evolution over the previous 12 months. We have continued our external offerings in our external gym sessions as well as developing our internal offerings with Friday Night Project coming in house to both Spelthorne and Sunbury Leisure Centre. Our GP referral programmes have seen growth with some specialist courses in place for smaller groups which were well attended throughout the year.

Spelthorne has reintroduced parties to add to the already successful Sunbury programme. Our partnership with Junior Adventures Group (JAG) has continued to be successful at Sunbury whilst Spelthorne is trailing a new partner in the coming school holidays who may also transfer over to the new operator.

Spelthorne Leisure Centre

Knowle Green, Staines-Upon-Thames, TW18 1AJ

T | 01784 493 493

ENVIRONMENTAL

Utilities have evolved in their importance in the last few years and a number of actions are in place to minimise and continue to minimise consumption. Unfortunately a few technical faults in our CHP has meant we have lost 2 months of operating time this financial year. Whilst this is frustrating, the sustainability of the CHP has improved. In addition to this, some cooler temperatures compared to last year made gas consumption difficult to control. Outside of these issues however, consumption has been positive and a combination of continuing to control our usage and a drop in rates from last year will see some much better financial performance.

Recycling still continues to be a strong performing element for Spelthorne Leisure Centre, with over 60% of our waste being recyclable and the centres rate being in the top 10 of all Everyone Active centres.

Spelthorne Borough Council have released a press statement confirming the centre award from Sport England Swimming Pool Sustainability Fund which will see a 994k investment into the green initiatives for Sunbury including additional solar panels and new heat pump installations. These works will take place over 2024 and likely around the school holidays to minimise disruption.

COMING UP NEXT...

There will be a team social in the new financial year with venue and theme to be decided.

Fire Evacuation training will be arranged for both centres which we require you to attend.

Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton will be doing a Q&A at Spelthorne in April, please get your tickets in advance if you want to see Ricky and ask him some questions – Following the success of our Paolo DiCanio and Paul Gascoigne evenings, there will be more events like this throughout the summer

There will be face to face meetings with Places Leisure once there is a confirmed timeline for the transfer of facilities however please see below for further details

Yours Sincerely,

Iain Milton Contract Manager

We are delighted to welcome you to Places Leisure

We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with Spelthorne Borough Council and look forward to taking on the management of the Spelthorne contract this year.

At Places Leisure we’re extremely passionate about helping communities stay physically active and emotionally engaged in fitness, sport and well-being. Our collaboration with local authorities and partners takes this passion one step further, we enjoy nothing more than seeing the collective impact that we can create in helping others become the healthiest version of themselves.

It’s our People that have the most significant effect on our communities. Our People bring ‘heart and soul’ into our Places, they bring a smile, some fun and a caring professionalism that makes a difference. In our desire to keep things simple, we expect everybody to be delivering outstanding customer service that keeps our customers returning and encourages new ones to join.

We’ll soon be in touch and invite all colleagues to a welcome meeting, which will give insight into Places Leisure and what you can expect from us when you transfer to us. If, in the meantime, you have any pressing questions please do not hesitate to contact us at enquiries@pfpleisure.org

Dave Jolliffe

Area Manager