Having secured a further 10 year contract to manage the four centres for Wealdon District Council, the partners are investing £8m in four leisure centres.

The aim of the investment is to increase accessibility and capacity, in order to drive up usage and improve customer experience. Food and beverage facilities will also be revamped with the aim of increasing dwell time.

Freedom Leisure expects memberships to increase by 20 per cent in the first year, across the contract and for casual visits to increase by 13 per cent.

Work gets underway at the four centres this month and will be completed by September.

Crowborough Leisure Centre is receiving a £3.2m investment. Among the improvements this will mean two more dance studios, a relocation and redesign of the gym to optimise capacity and new poolside changing rooms.

Just over £3m is being ploughed into Hailsham Leisure Centre, which will enlarge the gym, increase the studios from three to five and improve the changing rooms.

Uckfield Leisure Centre will receive £900,000 to create a new health suite area with sauna and steamrooms, refurbished changing facilities for both the wet area and outdoor games and a new reception and café seating.

Heathfield Leisure Centre will have £100,000 invested in more minor improvements.