As part of a series of meetings in Wealden with individuals, businesses and organisations, Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, was pleased to meet with the CEO of Freedom Leisure, Ivan Horsfall Turner, to discuss the impact of the energy crisis on public sector leisure and swimming pools in particular.
In partnership with Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council, Freedom Leisure manage and operate the Hailsham, Crowborough and Uckfield leisure centres, all of which include swimming pool facilities. These are open to both the community and school or club use, and available on a ‘pay as you go’ option. However, as energy costs are a large proportion of the overall cost of running a swimming pool, Wealden sites as well as facilities nationwide are struggling with the rise in energy bills.
Nusrat met with Mr Horsfall Turner at the Uckfield Freedom Leisure site to discuss ways of support.
Nusrat Ghani said: “Health, leisure and sport facilities play a key role in building resilience and well-being of our communities and swimming especially provide an opportunity for all ages and abilities to partake in physical activity. I appreciate the difficulties that swimming pools in Wealden and nationwide are currently facing and I am pleased that the Government is supporting businesses through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. I was pleased to meet with the CEO to learn more about the issues Freedom Leisure sites are facing and I will be making representations to my Ministerial colleagues regarding further support for public sector leisure operators.”
