Users of Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester could see inflation-busting price increases from January, with operators Freedom Leisure proposing adult swim fees rise 6.8% to £7.80, fitness class fees up 5.6% to £9.50, and annual memberships up 4.9%, blaming energy and staffing costs.
The proposed increases, which outstrip the UK's 3.6% inflation rate, come as a report reveals energy costs at the site have more than doubled in recent years despite efforts to reduce consumption. The average fee at Perdiswell would rise 5.3% from January if Worcester City Council approves the changes at a meeting at the end of November.
Matt Wickham, Freedom Leisure's chief operating officer, said the firm had seen "significant cost increases", with gas prices up by more than 50% over the second half of the year and minimum wages rising year-on-year. "It's really tough because we know people are feeling the pinch in different ways, but our priority is all about offering a value-for-money service to people from all walks of life," he said.
Hiring the artificial pitch at Perdiswell, currently £44 an hour, would cost 10% more, although the council said it would still be significantly cheaper than comparable pitches elsewhere in the city.
If approved, the increases would also apply at St John's Sports Centre and Nunnery Wood Sports Complex, both owned by Freedom Leisure.
Gym-goers at Perdiswell had mixed views. Sue Guest, who uses the aqua swim after two hip replacements, said: "It would be a shame if they increase it, but then they (the operators) have their own expenses as well. I think it's still reasonable value for money, actually."
Pensioner Colin English, who uses the gym at least four or five times a week, said: “They put the price up last year – if they do it again by these sorts of amounts I may have to reconsider because it's getting expensive.”
Another user, Vinny, added: "It feels like everything is going up in price at the moment. I'd never stop going though, this gym is important to me so I really don't mind."
Wickham added the government should consider "immediate financial support" to help the leisure industry through the next 12 months and ongoing investment into leisure centre stock. A final decision is expected on 24 November, subject to discussions at two city council committees before then.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The proposed increases outstrip inflation and add to cost-of-living pressures for local residents who rely on leisure centre facilities for fitness and rehabilitation.
- Energy costs remain a significant burden on publicly-operated leisure centres, threatening their financial viability and affordability.
- The operator's call for government support highlights the wider financial strain on the UK leisure industry, which could see similar price rises elsewhere.
Background
Perdiswell Leisure Centre is operated by Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit leisure trust, on behalf of Worcester City Council. The centre offers swimming pools, fitness classes, gym facilities and sports pitches. The council's ownership means any price changes require approval by councillors, who will debate the proposals in committee meetings before a final decision on 24 November.
Key Perspectives
Freedom Leisure (Matt Wickham, chief operating officer): Says the firm has seen "significant cost increases" with gas prices up more than 50% in the second half of the year and minimum wages rising. He said the priority is offering value for money, but called for "immediate financial support" from the government.
Sue Guest (user): Said a price rise would be a shame but acknowledged the operator's own expenses, calling the fee "still reasonable value for money".
Colin English (pensioner user): Said if prices rise by these amounts he "may have to reconsider because it's getting expensive".
Vinny (user): Said "everything is going up" but that he would never stop going because the gym is important to him.
What to Watch
- The council committee discussions before the final decision on 24 November, which may amend or reject the proposed increases.
- Whether other Freedom Leisure centres in the region announce similar price rises in response to cost pressures.
- Any government announcement on financial support for the leisure industry in the coming months.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedPerdiswell users could face inflation-busting price increases from January.BBC News: “Inflation-busting price increases are on the way at a large Worcester leisure centre, with its operators blaming energy and staffing costs. The price of an adult swim at Perdiswell Leisure Centre could rise 6.8%”
- SupportedThe adult swim fee could rise 6.8% to £7.80.BBC News: “The price of an adult swim at Perdiswell Leisure Centre could rise 6.8% – from £7.30 to £7.80 – if the new charges are approved.”
- SupportedFreedom Leisure is blaming rising energy and staffing costs for the proposed increases.BBC News: “Inflation-busting price increases are on the way at a large Worcester leisure centre, with its operators blaming energy and staffing costs.”
- SupportedFitness class fees would rise 5.6% to £9.50.BBC News: “Fitness class fees would increase by 5.6% to £9.50, while the price of annual memberships would go up 4.9%.”
- SupportedAnnual memberships would rise 4.9%.BBC News: “Fitness class fees would increase by 5.6% to £9.50, while the price of annual memberships would go up 4.9%.”
- SupportedWickham said: “It's really tough because we know people are feeling the pinch in different ways, but our priority is all about offering a value-for-money service to people from all walks of life,”BBC News: “"It's really tough because we know people are feeling the pinch in different ways, but our priority is all about offering a value-for-money service to people from all walks of life," he said.”
- SupportedSue Guest said: “It would be a shame if they increase it, but then they (the operators) have their own expenses as well. I think it's still reasonable value for money, actually.”BBC News: “"It would be a shame if they increase it, but then they (the operators) have their own expenses as well. "I think it's still reasonable value for money, actually."”
- SupportedColin English said: “They put the price up last year – if they do it again by these sorts of amounts I may have to reconsider because it's getting expensive.”BBC News: “"They put the price up last year – if they do it again by these sorts of amounts I may have to reconsider because it's getting expensive."”
- SupportedVinny said: “It feels like everything is going up in price at the moment. I'd never stop going though, this gym is important to me so I really don't mind.”BBC News: “"It feels like everything is going up in price at the moment. "I'd never stop going though, this gym is important to me so I really don't mind."”
- SupportedThe proposed increases outstrip the UK's 3.6% inflation rate.BBC News: “A report on the price hikes, which outstrip the UK's 3.6% inflation rate, revealed energy costs had more than doubled in recent years, despite efforts to slash consumption.”
- SupportedEnergy costs at the site had more than doubled in recent years despite efforts to reduce consumption.BBC News: “A report on the price hikes, which outstrip the UK's 3.6% inflation rate, revealed energy costs had more than doubled in recent years, despite efforts to slash consumption.”
- SupportedThe average fee at Perdiswell would rise 5.3% from January if the council approves the changes.BBC News: “If councillors sign them off in a meeting at the end of November, the average fee at Perdiswell Leisure Centre would increase by 5.3% from January.”