From Policy to Practice: An MP Visit to Evesham Leisure Centre

We were pleased to welcome Nigel Huddleston MP to Evesham Leisure Centre on Friday 16th January, during one of the leisure sector’s busiest periods of the year.

January is an important time for leisure centres, with high demand across fitness, swimming and wellbeing services. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to show the important role leisure centres play in supporting local communities, not only in helping people stay active, but also in contributing to local economies and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

Nigel was given a tour of the centre by Centre Manager Lee Oliver and Managing Director Nigel Grundy, including a first look at our refurbished gym, which reopened in August last year. The improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to providing high quality, accessible facilities that meet the needs of our local community.

The visit also created space for open and constructive conversations around the challenges and opportunities currently facing the leisure industry. Topics included government funding, investment in facilities, rising operational pressures and the continued importance of keeping leisure provision affordable and accessible for all.

Nigel was accompanied by Helen, his Constituency Assistant, and Hannah, his Communications Officer. Stephen, UK Active’s Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager, also joined the visit, helping to facilitate wider discussion around the sector’s priorities at a national level.

We welcome the opportunity to engage with policymakers and sector partners and to contribute to conversations that shape the future of leisure services. Visits like this help ensure that decisions at a national level are informed by what’s happening on the ground in local facilities and communities like ours.