Braintree District Council is pleased to announce that starting from 1 September 2025 Freedom Leisure will be taking over the provision of leisure services across the district.
The new three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further two years, will see Freedom Leisure manage and operate key facilities including Braintree Swim and Fitness, Witham Leisure Centre & Witham Sports Ground, Braintree Sports & Health Club and Halstead Leisure Centre.
Freedom Leisure is a not-for-profit leisure trust dedicated to improving lives through accessible, inclusive and community-focused health and wellbeing services across the UK.
The partnership aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of residents through a wide range of inclusive and engaging programmes, and in line with the council’s health and wellbeing strategy.
One of the key priorities for the new contract will be customer experience and, ensuring that residents receive a high-quality and responsive leisure provision across the district.
Councillor Lynette Bowers-Flint, Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Wellbeing at Braintree District Council, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Freedom Leisure to the Braintree District. Their vision for the future of leisure services aligns perfectly with our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing within our community. We are excited about the new partnership, and we believe it will benefit our community and our residents.”
Ivan Horsfall-Turner, Freedom Leisure’s Chief Executive Officer, says: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Braintree District Council. It's an exciting time for the area as we can now start to work towards delivering inclusive, accessible and efficient leisure services across the region. We look forward to working with the council, new colleagues, customers and stakeholders to evolve and improve Braintree’s leisure offer and help residents lead healthy active lifestyles.”
Further details about the transition and upcoming programmes will be shared with residents in the coming weeks via the Council’s website, e-newsletters and social media channels.
The Council also extended its thanks to the outgoing provider, Fusion Lifestyle, for their 13 years of dedicated service.