Barrow Borough 
Council’s Leisure Services which include Park Leisure Centre and The Forum, currently run in-house are to be tendered for the first time. The procurement is scheduled to start in the summer of 2017.
Leading leisure consultants SLC have been commissioned by Barrow Borough Council to assist with the procurement of a long-term partner to operate the Council’s Leisure Services. This is part of the Council’s strategy to ensure its services are sustained for the long term through the provision of high quality, inclusive services.
The project aims to:
- Design a service that contributes to Barrow Borough Council’s wider corporate objectives by extending the reach and impact of the new leisure management contract.
- Design a contract specification that encourages an operator to be innovative allowing them flexibility to bring in their expertise
- Engage and consult with stakeholders to help shape the service
- Design a fully inclusive Leisure Centre specification that enables access by those who participate less in sport and physical activity
- Ensure that The Forum continues to offer high quality arts and performances in its theatre and be an excellent venue for meetings and other events
- Embed a ‘Partnership Philosophy’ with the selected operator and the development of a partnership framework
- Ensure the long-term sustainability of the Council’s substantial investment in the facilities.
SLC’s involvement is being led by David Rushton, Managing Consultant.
David said of SLC’s involvement in the project, “We are delighted to be supporting Barrow Borough Council in this process. They have an excellent track record of maintaining and investing in their leisure facilities which we believe will make them attractive to the leisure operator market. We want to help the Council find the right operating partner that will improve the usage of the facilities and ultimately make them sustainable for the next decade.”
Keith Johnson, Assistant Director, Community Services said, “SLC has considerable experience in this field and we will be drawing on their expertise. We have a clear aim of what we want to achieve with this new contract and it’s not just about providing facilities. We want to improve outcomes for our residents and we see this contract as significantly contributing to this.”
For more information, please contact:
David Rushton
The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy
T: 07780 437753