Lincoln’s Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres close as Active Nation ceases trading

Two city leisure centres have been closed without warning.

Active Nation, the operator of Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres in Lincoln, says that rising costs and the financial climate have made it impossible to continue.

A statement was sent to members on Wednesday night, informing that that the two leisure centres were closed immediately.

It claims that it had worked with the council to find another company to take over the services, but hadn’t been successful.

No warning had been given to members, with the leisure centres accepting new memberships as recently as the weekend.

The Yarborough Leisure Centre boasts a gym, swimming pool, running track and studios for classes, while the Birchwood facility has a gym, spin studio and 3G pitches.

“Due to the ongoing utility crisis and the challenges it has created, Active Nation has made the difficult decision to close Yarborough Leisure Centre and the Birchwood Leisure Centre, effective Wednesday, April 2,” the statement says.

“After discussion with the City of Lincoln Council, we regret to inform you that no alternative providers have been identified for transferring services, which means the centres will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“We are deeply disappointed by this outcome and would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all Lincoln residents for your support since 2007.

“It has been an honour to serve this community, and we are truly grateful for the trust and loyalty you have shown us over the years.

“Once again, thank you for being such an integral part of our journey.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that councillors have been briefed privately about Active Nation’s financial problems, but had been prevented from asking questions publicly.

Simon Walters, directorate for communities and environment at City of Lincoln Council, said: "We are sorry to learn that Active Nation has ceased trading with immediate effect.

"Active Nation was responsible for operating two leisure centres in our buildings at Yarborough and Birchwood. Their announcement will no doubt cause considerable concern to users of those two facilities, and of course to the staff employed in them.

"We know that staff have worked incredibly hard to try to keep facilities running during some very tough trading conditions in the leisure industry, and we'd like to express our sympathies to everyone who will be in any way affected by Active Nation’s announcement.

"This is a very sad development, and we would advise all Active Nation customers with pre-paid memberships to contact their bank, card provider or the liquidator/administrator once appointed.

"The city council is now in the process of repossessing our buildings and assessing our available options."