Greenwich Leisure (GLL) has announced that it will manage eight fitness facilities in South Oxfordshire on a five-year contract with the district council.

GLL will sub-contract the day-to-day running of the leisure centres to its local partner Nexus Community Leisure.

In September 2008, not-for-profit leisure organisation Nexus — previously known as Wycombe Leisure — was taken off the shortlist to bid for management of a group of leisure facilities in Wycombe.

Director of Nexus, Steve Hercus, said: “Naturally we were very disappointed to not make the shortlist for our original contract with Wycombe District Council, which expires on 31 March, but we are delighted to have been named preferred management contractor in partnership with GLL for the South Oxfordshire District Council leisure facilities.

“This local contract complements our highly successful and ongoing partnerships with West Oxfordshire, Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils and cements a strategic partnership between Nexus and GLL, with whom we have worked closely since our formation in 1996.”

Wycombe District Council will announce its preferred contractor for management of Court Garden Leisure Centre, Handy Cross Sports Centre, Risborough Springs and Holywell Mead Pool at its next full council meeting on 26 February.