Social Enterprise Partnership Wins Welsh Sports and Leisure Contract

Social Enterprise Partnership Wins Welsh Sports and Leisure Contract

For the past decade Halo Leisure has helped the people of Herefordshire to live a healthier and more active life by managing the leisure centres and swimming pools across the county on behalf of Herefordshire Council. The organisation is now taking its innovative and high quality approach further afield. Following a rigorous tender process, Halo Leisure in partnership with another leading not-for-profit leisure operator, GLL, has won a contract to operate eight of Bridgend County Borough’s leisure centres in South West Wales in delivering a healthy living partnership service.

“It is  good news for everyone in the county when a local business goes from strength to strength” said Cllr Roger Phillips, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Culture, “and Herefordshire Council is delighted to learn that Halo is one such company, securing a new contract and diversifying into new areas.  Both parties have  worked tirelessly to create opportunities for local people to get more physically active and the future will be no different, with Halo Leisure continuing to be at the helm of health and fitness in Herefordshire.”

Jon Argent, Halo’s Chief Executive said, “Halo has reached the stage in its development where business growth through expansion into new geographical areas has become an exciting opportunity. We are delighted to have been selected by Bridgend County Borough Council to partner the local authority in the delivery of their leisure and cultural services for a 15 year period, commencing this April. Halo Leisure will run the service on a day to day basis, GLL will offer back up and support as is needed.

Our social enterprise business model and charitable status allows us to trade for social purposes and ‘not for profit’; this,  combined with a strong market profile has become recognised in Herefordshire and now further afield as a sign of quality and strength.”

Jon went on to say, “Halo’s future in Herefordshire is equally exciting and users of our centres can rest assured that they will continue to receive the high level of service that they have grown to expect. We will continue to support even more people to participate in some form of exercise, and invest in our facilities in the county including  the multi-million pound refurbishment of Hereford Leisure Pool, which is on track for completion this Spring.”                              

About GLL

GLL is an employee-owned society that exists for the benefits of the community. Based on charitable objectives, GLL oversees the management of over 100 public leisure centres across the south of England and York.  Its division, Nexus Community manages leisure facilities along the Thames Corridor.  GLL works in partnership with fourteen London boroughs, 2 city councils, 4 borough councils, 6 district councils and 3 associated partners.  GLL is leisure’s most successful charitable Social Enterprise.