New Forest District Council gives green light to leisure centre operator Freedom Leisure to hike fees at New Milton, Lymington, Applemore, Ringwood and Totton sites

Fees at five district council-owned leisure centres are to be hiked from next year despite concerns over the impact to users.

As reported in the A&T, Freedom Leisure, which manages the facilities on behalf of New Forest District Council in New Milton, Lymington, Applemore, Ringwood and Totton, asked NFDC to agree an increase to a raft of charges at the sites.

The operator says they must be hiked to avoid cutbacks in services, staffing or opening hours, and suggested it could pull out of its contract with NFDC if the increases are not approved.

The proposal, which was earlier backed by cabinet members, was approved at Monday’s full council meeting by 29 votes to eight. There were also three abstentions.

A report to members explained the move was due to cost pressures “particularly associated with pay and energy”, which meant an increase in fees greater than the Consumer Price Index was required.

The changes include increasing the cost of a standard public swim from £7 to £7.50 – a rise of more than 7% – while a concessionary junior will pay £3.25, up from £3 – an increase of more than 8%.

The cost of a public swim for three to seven-year-olds will remain at £2.

Cllr Jeremy Heron, cabinet member for finance and corporate, backed the increases, saying: “We work in partnership with Freedom Leisure and I do think they deliver better value for money than if the service had remained in-house.

“Everyone in this chamber is aware of ever spiralling costs, so we need to support them if we want to have leisure centres in the district.”

Other fees which will increase from February 2025 include fitness memberships, with a single peak direct debit rising 3.6% from £56 to £58. Worst hit would be students, whose membership would jump from £35 to £38.50 – a 10% rise.

Gym users will see their monthly memberships at Totton and Ringwood increase from £45 to £47 – up 4.4.% – while the remaining centre users would pay £48 – up 6.7%.

Cllr Alex Wade raised concerns over the increases, which he said would also impact clubs that hired facilities at the centres.

He added pricing people out of using the centres would have a far greater impact on Freedom Leisure’s viability.