Richmond upon Thames Council's sports centres are set to be managed by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), following a decision by the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee. The move aims to improve financial sustainability and enhance resident access to sports facilities across the borough.
Currently, five of the council's sports centres are directly managed, a model that is forecast to require a subsidy of approximately £397,000 in the 2026/27 financial year. The proposal is to explore consolidating these centres within the existing GLL contract to improve financial sustainability
. The business plan for the sites aims to reduce the surplus from nearly £400,000 to about £100,000 by year five, which would require a 60% increase in products and sales. The ultimate goal is to achieve a saving and then turn to surplus more quickly
.
GLL already manages Pools on the Park and Teddington Pools & Fitness Centre, and early data from this contract shows an increase in membership and visits, along with improved community outreach and targeted activities. A key element of the new leisure management contract is the inclusion of an Active Communities Programme, delivered via a Hub and Spoke model. This programme aims to deliver activities in community settings as an extension of the leisure service. Examples of activities already in delivery or being developed include those for older people such as Better Health walks and chair-based exercises, women-only group fitness classes, family outreach through family activity days, parent-child workshops, and intergenerational sessions. The report also details initiatives for Older Adults
, Supporting those with SEND and Carers
, Young people and Looked After Children/Care leavers
, Supporting those with long-term health conditions
, and Women and Girls
. The proposal is to explore whether operational management of the five remaining Council-managed centres should be consolidated within the existing GLL contract...
which would imply an expansion of these initiatives.
Tom Alexander, Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure, presented the proposal, highlighting that GLL's expertise in leisure management, their purchasing power for equipment, and their marketing capabilities could lead to greater efficiencies and capital investment than the council could achieve independently. He noted that the current direct management model is not unique to Richmond and that GLL has experience managing similar dual-use sites with schools.
The condition of the five directly managed sports centres is described as needing restocking
of equipment and decor struggling a bit in places
. GLL is expected to address these capital needs, with initial improvements already delivered at Pools on the Park, including a new multi-purpose studio and upgraded café toilets. A key aspect of the new contract is the programme for capital investment to modernise and enhance the two Pools on the Park and Teddington Pools facilities over the coming years.
The committee was informed that the transfer of staff would be managed in compliance with TUPE regulations, with 98 positions identified for potential transfer. HR will collaborate with leisure management to ensure compliance with the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). The report notes that these 98 positions include staff on permanent contracts and casual terms of engagement, and provides details on occupied and vacant positions, as well as pension scheme membership. However, specific assurances regarding their terms and conditions are not detailed in this section.
The success of GLL's management will be measured beyond just membership and visit numbers. The Richmond Moves for a Healthier Borough Strategy – Update on Year 2 and Proposed Action Plan for Year 3
report outlines KPIs for Year 3, which include strengthening delivery across the three pillars: active people, active communities and active environments.
Specific KPIs for Year 3 include developing new referral and signposting pathways, increasing opportunities for active play for young children, aligning delivery with Richmond's physical activity plan, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to develop Active Hampton as a community wellbeing and physical activity hub. Members are recommended to note the progress made in year two of Richmond Moves for a healthier borough strategy and endorse the year three action plan and its key performance indicators.
The proposal is expected to be implemented by April 2027, subject to final approvals and a robust business case. Further details on the proposal can be found in the Public reports pack for the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee meeting on Tuesday 15 September 2026 Public reports pack Tuesday 15 September 2026.