Soft Market Testing - Leisure Centres

Swale Borough Council (SBC) is conducting a soft market testing exercise to explore potential management options for its leisure facilities from April 2027. We would like to invite your organisation to participate in this process.

SBC currently owns two wet and dry leisure facilities, Sheppey Leisure Complex, Sheerness (incorporating Sheppey Healthy Living Centre and Sheerness Swimming Pool) and Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne, both of which are leased to Swale Community Leisure Trust (SCLT). SCLT employs Serco Leisure as their managing agents to operate the facilities on a day-to-day basis.

There is planned major investment into the dryside facilities at Sheppey Leisure Complex in Sheerness which is due to commence in February 2025 and complete in March 2027. Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne has recently undertaken a refurbishment.

As part of the procurement, we are considering the inclusion of a third facility alongside the two sites stated above; this facility, known as Faversham Pools, Faversham, is currently split in ownership between SBC and Faversham Pools Trust. The full site is currently operated by this registered charity.

We would appreciate your feedback on the points contained in the attachment.

Your response to this opportunity would be greatly valued. Please respond to the questions by:

12. noon on Friday 17th January 2025.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please use the portal messaging function.