OVERVIEW
PUBLIC SECTOR
PUBLIC SECTOR POOLS
Public centres
As in the private sector, the last 12 months has been a tough period for the UK’s public sector swimming market, but interestingly to a lesser extent than the private sector. Across the UK, there are now 1,646 public sector centres with pools – down 1.1% from 1,664 in 2022. Between them, these centres operate 2,703 pools – down from 2,714 in 2022 (-0.4%). GLL remains the leading UK public sector operator by number of centres with pools: in 2023, the trust operates seven more centres with pools than it did in 2022 (136 compared to 129). On pages 58–61, in an interview with founder Mark Sesnan and head of sport & aquatics Andrew Clark, we explore the innovations and new thinking inspired – and at times mandated – by the pandemic and the energy crisis. In second place is Everyone Active (SLM), the UK’s top leisure management contractor (LMC). Down two pool-operating centres, nevertheless it still operated 126 centres with a pool at the end of March 2023. You can dive into Everyone
1,646
Pools
2,703
Active’s continued success story in our interview on page 67. No other public operators have more than 100 centres with pools.
Openings
The average public swim fee has increased by 5.9% over the last 12 months, from £4.93 to £5.22. This brings the average fee over £5 for the first time and marks the largest % increase since 2012. (See page 63 for further detail.)
13
Closures
15
Average pay per swim fee £5.22
56
STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
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