health & fitNess


Serco lines up new leisure management contracts


Serco has been confirmed as the new oper- ator of Mansfield District Council-owned leisure facilities, following the signing of a 10-year contract commencing on 1 May. The agreement includes all five local


authority-owned centres – such as the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre. In addition to the Mansfield deal, Serco


has also been named as preferred bidder for a 10-year contract to manage five leisure centres owned by Shropshire Council. Details: http://lei.sr?a=O7m2g (Mansfield) Details: http://lei.sr?a=t7w1u (Shropshire)


New obesity campaign launches


Healthcare professionals have come together under the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges (AoRMC) to launch a new campaign to combat increasing levels of child and adult obesity. Te UK medical profession


– including surgeons, psychi- atrists, paediatricians and GPs – is aiming to tackle what it described as the “single great- est public health threat”. A three-month evidence-


gathering inquiry has marked the launch of the campaign in to gather research and experi- ence of actions that help reduce obesity. Among the five main areas being investi-


gated by AoRMC will be the actions that can be taken by individuals, which comprises exercise in addition to diet and “positive parenting”. Fiscal incentives - including minimum pric- ing, personal incentives and taxation - is also


Te extension doubles the venue’s available space


Crayford fitness facility to open new extension


Independently-owned Crayford Weights and Fitness in Crayford, Kent, will open a new gym extension this month (May). First launched in 2010, the club has


acquired an adjacent unit at the Crayford Retail Park and has appointed supplier Jordan Fitness to equip the space. Te extension will double the space avail-


able and new facilities include a group exercise studio, a ladies-only gym and a group cycling room as part of plans to attract more female users. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=W9K9G


Hampshire launch for Anytime Fitness


A recent Oxford Brookes University grad- uate is to open Anytime Fitness’ latest UK health club below an apartment complex in central Basingtoke, Hampshire. The 1,500 member capacity venue is


located in a previously vacant unit opposite the town’s railway station and will contain more than 50 pieces of Precor equipment. A full renovation is being carried out


ahead of the launch of the new health club, which will be open 24 hours a day and will include private changing rooms. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=v4T1d


4 Te campaign aims to be a driving force in the fight against UK obesity


one of the areas that will be investigated as part of the campaign’s inquiry. AoRMC chair Professor Sir Neil Douglas


said: “Tis won’t be just another report that sits on the shelf and gathers dust; it will form the bedrock of our ongoing activity.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=X5I2M


Three new locations for The Gym Group


The Gym Group is set to unveil three new locations this month (May) – in Ashford, Bournemouth and Luton – in a move which will expand its UK estate to 23 fitness clubs. Matrix will provide more


than 200 pieces of resistance and cv equipment at each of the new sites, which will span between 9,000sq ſt (836sq m) and 15,000sq ſt (1,394sq m). Te new sites will also offer


members virtual classes, with the chain already trialling 24-hour virtual pilates and yoga at four other clubs. John Treharne, the group’s CEO, said: “Over


Treharne predicts further fitness market segmentation in coming years To read the opinions of industry experts on


the next few years the fitness sector will expe- rience more segmentation. Brands will have to work harder to establish themselves in the market and attract new members.”


the arrival of virtual yoga and pilates classes in the UK from more industry experts, see Health Club Management 2012 Issue 3, p43. Details: http://lei.sr?a=e3i6x


Construction milestone for Toxteth Fire Fit scheme


Work on the construction of Toxteth’s new £5.2m combined sports centre and fire station in Liverpool has reached a milestone aſter the final metal beams were put into place. Wates Construction started work on the Toxteth Fire Fit project last year and is set to


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


include a fitness gym, a dance studio, a com- bat sports room and a climbing wall. Toxteth Fire Station is relocating to the


Upper Hill Street site as part of the scheme. A sports hall is also planned for the complex. Details: http://lei.sr?a=t4u2f


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


image: rj lerich/shutteerstock.com


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