Latest news with #FreedomLeisure
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Crackdown on childhood obesity set to be launched by Southend Council
SOUTHEND Council is set to launch a crackdown on childhood obesity in the city. Latest figures show in 2023/24, 22.7 per cent of four to five-year-olds were overweight or obese as they start school. That rises to 33.8 per cent for ten to 11-year-olds in Year 6, with a higher prevalence in low income families. A motion was tabled to the council to tackle the problem in March and on Monday the cabinet is expected to launch an investigation into the impact of obesity and inactivity among those living in poverty. The council will agree a strategy aimed at encouraging greater physical activity, particularly among the disabled and poorer communities. It will work with community organisations and sports providers, including its new leisure contractor, Freedom Leisure. The latest annual public health report by Krishna Ramkhelawon, Southend's director of public health , which will also be considered by cabinet on Monday, said: 'Post-pandemic, the struggle with addressing childhood obesity has shown no sign of easing. Improving diet and nutrition, increasing physical activity, and taking further steps to reshape some of the unhealthier food environment are all necessities. 'The evidence suggests that behaviour change alone will have very little impact on this growing public health challenge. There is a need for a call to action from policy-makers, both nationally and locally, partners and our school communities to join forces to help deliver more impactful change to improve outcomes.' It adds: 'Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health issues facing the UK. Obesity increases the risk of developing a range of health conditions in childhood and later life, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers. 'Children who are overweight are much more likely to be obese adults, which may lead to significant health risks. Childhood obesity is a significant health inequality, with higher rates among children of overweight parents, those in living in more disadvantaged communities and some ethnic groups.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swimming club stages gala for local schoolchildren
The gala was made possible as a result of kind sponsorship by The Rotary in Romsey and contributions to core costs by Freedom Leisure and LAB Swim (Image: Romsey & Totton Swimming Club) A swimming club hosted a gala for local schools for "the first time in years". Romsey & Totton Swimming Club invited local schools to Totton Leisure Centre on July 1. Twenty-one events took place, including individual and relay events, with a final fun big float squadron. Advertisement Head coach, Steve Harrison, and head swim teacher, Fran Harrison, supported the children and helped announce and present medals and the winning team's trophy. READ MORE: Football tournament held in memory of 'lifelong saints fan' raises hundreds (Image: Romsey & Totton Swimming Club) This was the first time in many years the club has run the gala, which was sponsored by The Rotary in Romsey and contributions by Freedom Leisure and LAB Swim. With continued support, the club hopes to make the gala an annual event. The event allowed pupils of all abilities to come together and cheer each other on, with every swimmer taking part with enthusiasm. Advertisement A spokesperson for the club said: "The club would like to thank all its volunteers and officials for helping to make a memorable afternoon dedicated to swimming. "The event allowed pupils of all abilities to come together, make a splash, and cheer each other on. "It was great to see swimmers from other schools cheering on their swimming friends. "Every swimmer participated with enthusiasm, giving their best efforts and the whole event embodied the Clubs ethos of being 'a friendly swimming club for all levels.'"
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Whittlesey Tennis Club returns home after 15-year hiatus
A tennis club is returning to its original home 15 years after it Tennis Club had to leave its courts at the Manor Leisure Centre in 2010 after they fell into disrepair after a spate of the 35-year-old Cambridgeshire club was allowed to return after the facility, run by Freedom Leisure and owned by Fenland District Council, was Peter Bibb, 66, said he was "delighted" to return. "We had to play our home matches at various locations in and around Peterborough for the last 15 years," he said."And we had to travel 40 minutes to play at home."The courts were not fit to play on, but now it's absolutely brilliant. We really want to get more and more members." Mr Bibb said the club had been "inundated" with new members after setting up free lessons for under-18s, with parents also offered a cut price estimated membership had risen by 600% in the weeks since returning to fencing, lighting and fresh lining were all part of a £60,000 renovation of the courts. Jan French, a Conservative councillor responsible for parks and open spaces, said they had been in "a state of disrepair for many years".She added: "Last year we were able to secure funding to carry out a major upgrade to the facilities."We're pleased these are now available for people to book and use for tennis, and hope they'll be of service to people for a long time to come."A Freedom Leisure spokesperson added they were "delighted" to welcome Whittlesey Tennis Club back. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leisure operator plan to invest £10m in facilities
A leisure operator said it planned to invest nearly £10m in facilities in Surrey if it took over a council contract. Guildford Borough Council said the existing leisure contract, which oversees the management at Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido and Ash Manor Sports Centre, is due to expire on 31 October. A spokesperson for the council said: "Following a thorough commercial and technical evaluation, Freedom Leisure scored the highest total score and has therefore emerged as the preferred bidder." According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Freedom Leisure plans to install a "state-of-the-art" soft play facility at Spectrum Gym and add all-year-round swimming in the Lido. It plans to operate the Lido pool from 07:00 BST to 21:00 BST during the winter months, subject to the installation of external lighting. It also proposes adding a Pilates and yoga/hot yoga studio to replace the existing gym. Councillor Catherine Houston said the popularity of the facilities had attracted "significant interest" from major leisure operators. "I look forward to seeing more opportunities for people to take part in leisure and well-being activities over the coming years," she added. The council said the proposed new contract would run for 10 years, with the option to extend for a further five years, offering "long-term stability and continuity for the borough's leisure provision". Councillors will discuss the new contract agreement before a final decision is made at the end of July. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Lido reopens for summer season after refurbishment Guildford Borough Council
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leisure operator plan to invest £10m in several Surrey facilities
A leisure operator said it planned to invest nearly £10m in facilities in Surrey if it took over a council Borough Council said the existing leisure contract, which oversees the management at Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido and Ash Manor Sports Centre, is due to expire on 31 October. A spokesperson for the council said: "Following a thorough commercial and technical evaluation, Freedom Leisure scored the highest total score and has therefore emerged as the preferred bidder."According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Freedom Leisure plans to install a "state-of-the-art" soft play facility at Spectrum Gym and add all-year-round swimming in the Lido. It plans to operate the Lido pool from 07:00 BST to 21:00 BST during the winter months, subject to the installation of external also proposes adding a Pilates and yoga/hot yoga studio to replace the existing Catherine Houston said the popularity of the facilities had attracted "significant interest" from major leisure operators."I look forward to seeing more opportunities for people to take part in leisure and well-being activities over the coming years," she added. The council said the proposed new contract would run for 10 years, with the option to extend for a further five years, offering "long-term stability and continuity for the borough's leisure provision".Councillors will discuss the new contract agreement before a final decision is made at the end of July.
