Active Nation ceases trading

Southampton City Council has transferred its leisure facility operations – including memberships, bookings and staff – to its main contractor, Places Leisure, after Active Nation UK Limited ceased trading.

Active Nation had been contracted to manage several leisure facilities on behalf of the council, including the Alpine Snowsports Southampton, Bitterne Leisure Centre, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, Southampton Water Activities Centre and Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre.

It was also responsible for bookings of sports pitches and facilities at Southampton’s Riverside Park, Outdoor Sports Centre, Millbrook Recreation Ground and other recreation grounds. In an email to members of the facilities, Active Nation cited “immense pressure” in utility costs, which had led to the “difficult decision” to axe operations in the city.

In a statement, Southampton City Council said: “Our team is working closely with Places Leisure to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.”

In addition to the facilities it was operating on behalf of Southampton City Council, Active Nation was managing facilities in Lincolnshire, Aldershot and Bristol. At least two of these centres – Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres in Lincolnshire – were forced to close their doors when Active Nation stopped operations on 3 April.

City of Lincoln Council has since said that it was working to open outdoor facilities at both centres on a “phased basis”.