Council to decide on future of closed leisure facilities in Lincoln

Members of City of Lincoln Council’s Executive will next week be asked to approve the start of the procurement process to find an interim operator for the indoor and outdoor leisure facilities at Yarborough Leisure Centre and Birchwood Leisure Centre for the next two years.

Following the announcement that Active Nation ceased trading on Thursday 3 April 2025, the council’s Executive is recommended to make a decision on procuring a new leisure provider utilising emergency provisions.

Prior to Active Nation ceasing trading, there had been concerns over their financial viability which, in January 2025, resulted in the council offering a two-year support package worth £480k of additional income plus the suspension of debt repayments to the city council. However, following consideration of the offer, this offer was formally declined by Active Nation.

The trading position of Active Nation remained challenging, despite assurances that these challenges were being managed, and on 3 April 2025 Active Nation made the decision to cease trading and seek to wind the charity up, closing the leisure centres.

Officers of the council considered four options prior to their recommendation to urgently procure an interim leisure provider for up to two years to replace Active Nation and use this period to pause and reflect on the future of leisure provision.

A full appraisal of all the options has been undertaken, driven by a strong desire to see the leisure centres re-opened as quickly as possible. Procuring an interim leisure provider is considered the most appropriate route to follow. Members of the Executive Committee will make their decision at a meeting on 15 April.

Report author, Simon Walters – Strategic Director of Communities and Environment at City of Lincoln Council, said: “These centres play a vital role in supporting the physical and mental health of residents of the city and beyond and it is vital that they re-open as soon as possible. 

“The option being recommended by officers is that the council urgently procure an interim leisure provider for up to two years to replace Active Nation. 

“This offers the fastest route to re-opening the two centres, which members have already indicated is the approach they want to take.

“The recommended option will enable a leisure provider who has the necessary experience, expertise, knowledge and resources to take control of the two centres and make them a success.

“This option also gives Members and officers the time and space to carefully consider the changing local government landscape and leisure industry itself before committing to a longer-term contract.”

The decision will be made at an Extraordinary Meeting of the council’s Executive at 5pm on 15 April in City Hall, Lincoln.