> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Not-for-profit trust chosen as preferred bidder for contract to run leisure centres in Lichfield and Burntwood
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/not-for-profit-trust-chosen-as-preferred-bidder-for-contract-to-run-leisure-centres-in-lichfield-and-burntwood/
- Published: 2017-10-24T10:18:36.000Z
- Updated: 2017-10-24T10:18:36.000Z
- Description: A not-for-profit trust has been chosen as the preferred bidder to run leisure centres in Lichfield and Burntwood.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, News

A not-for-profit trust has been chosen as the preferred bidder to run leisure centres in Lichfield and Burntwood.

Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet agreed to begin negotiations with Freedom Leisure for the outsourcing of Burntwood Leisure Centre and Friary Grange Leisure Centre.

[![The swimming pool at Burntwood Leisure Centre](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/burntwood-leisure-centre-pool.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2017/10/24/not-for-profit-trust-chosen-as-preferred-bidder-for-contract-to-run-leisure-centres-in-lichfield-and-burntwood/burntwood-leisure-centre-pool/)

The swimming pool at Burntwood Leisure Centre

The two parties will now work together to agree terms and conditions of the deal ahead of approval by the council later this year.

Councillor Iain Eadie, Cabinet member for leisure, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Freedom Leisure as our preferred bidder and hope that the contract negotiations go smoothly.

“Freedom Leisure manage a large suite of leisure centres nationwide and are committed to improving leisure facilities locally, boosting usage and offering great staff development schemes.”

[![Cllr Iain Eadie](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/iaineadie.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2013/12/12/leader-unveils-new-look-cabinet-at-lichfield-district-council/iaineadie/)

Cllr Iain Eadie

Cllr Eadie added that he did not believe the decision would impact on usage of the two sites.

“We’ve decided to outsource the management of two of our leisure centres, as we must use our resources as effectively as possible, while encouraging more people to be active more often,” he said.

“Where outsourcing has happened in other parts of the country, such as Cannock and Rugeley, participation levels have gone up and people have benefited from enhanced leisure services, so we’re confident it will offer our residents the best access to our leisure facilities.”

The sites at Lichfield and Burntwood will join other facilities across the UK that are managed by Freedom Leisure.

Managing director Ivan Horsfall-Turner said: “We are delighted to have been selected as Lichfield District Council’s preferred bidder and very much look forward to working with the existing workforce and supporting them to build upon the current high quality services and facilities.

“We hope that our operational expertise, coupled with this local approach, will mean that the services will go from strength-to-strength in support of the objectives we share with the council.”