Bedfordshire's outdoor activity centre Blue Peris to close
The council cited the need to implement recommendations from its new sport and leisure strategy and meet savings targets in the 2025-26 revenue budget.The cost of running the centre was expected to rise by £50,000 to £185,000 next year, excluding costs for repairs, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.Only a third of the centre's bookings scheduled for next year are from Bedford-based groups.
Mayor Tom Wootton signed the decision on Wednesday, which will see the council serve notice to landowner Harpur Trust and shut down the outdoor activity centre by October.The facilities, held on a 99-year lease at a nominal rent of £1 per year, include accommodation for 73 people and is currently run by leisure contractor Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).The council cannot assign the lease to another operator, and discussions with GLL and others concluded the site would not be viable to run independently.If the Harpur Trust sells it, the council will receive 27% of any net proceeds. However, officers warned this share may be "negligible" once dilapidation costs are considered.Unless called in for debate by borough councillors, the decision will take effect on August 1.
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