Follow Health Club Management on Twitter Like Health Club Management on Facebook Join the discussion with Health Club Management on LinkedIn
FITNESS, HEALTH, WELLNESS

Latest news

CMS Committee ‘not convinced’ Premier League will sanction clubs failing disabled access guidelines

The parliamentary committee that scrutinises British sport has claimed it is “not convinced” the Premier League will take suitable action against its clubs that fail to make their stadiums more accessible to disabled people.

As a result, the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee’s Accessibility of Sport Stadia report recommends that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) “start legal proceeding” against the Premier League clubs that don’t adhere to the Accessible Stadia Guide.

“The Premier League told us that it would consider imposing sanctions on clubs that fail to improve sufficient accessibility,” said the report.

“Given 20 years of comparative inactivity by the football leagues, we are not convinced that the Premier League would impose suitable penalties on clubs, even for failing to meet building regulations.”

The CMS Committee has presided over a number of evidence hearing about the state of sports stadiums for disabled supporters.

In 2015, the Premier League made the commitment that all 20 of its clubs would be compliant with the Accessible Stadia Guide by the start of the 2017/18 season.

But during a hearing with Level Playing Field chair Joyce Cook, the committee found out that at least eight clubs were not expected to complete agreed improvements by the deadline.

Cook said the situation was “worrying” and “obscene”.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch has also endorsed the use of legal action by the EHRC for clubs not adhering to the specifications.

Damian Collins, chair of the CMS Committee, said it was “especially disappointing” that “some of the rich clubs are not doing more”.

He added that not making stadiums fit for use for disabled people was a “reputational risk” for sports clubs and “one sponsors would have to take seriously”.

“Sports fans with disabilities are not asking for a large number of expensive changes – only to have their needs taken into account in the way sports stadia are designed and operated,” said Collins.

“It is high time that sports clubs, especially for example those with plenty of resources as in football’s Premier League, change their mindset. This isn’t really about money, it’s about the will to do it.”

Related news

Sports minister backs EHRC to use legal powers against sports clubs with unaccessible stadiums

14 Dec 2016
The government will back the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) if it wishes to ...

Champion for disabled sports fans joins SGSA board

28 Jan 2016
Joyce Cook OBE, the founder of the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), ...
The parliamentary committee that scrutinises British sport has claimed it is “not convinced” the Premier League will take suitable action against its clubs that fail to make their stadiums more accessible to disabled people.
SAR
THUMB14391_543877.jpg
Latest News
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional reformer movements ...
Latest News
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch ...
Latest News
Girls in the UK are missing out on 280 million hours of sport every year ...
Latest News
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes of ...
Latest News
Everlast Gyms expands its footprint outside of the UK this month with the imminent launch ...
Latest News
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of  Physical activity guidelines: ...
Latest News
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and wellness ...
Latest News
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international portfolio, with ...
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Social fitness the missing link to member engagement, according to a new Myzone report
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square, London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
HCM People

Shaun Grove

Owner, Stride Fitness
My goal was to invest in where fitness is going, not where it’s already been
HCM magazine
The fitness industry is mourning the passing of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness, as Kath Hudson reports
HCM magazine
People on weight loss drugs reduce their activity levels, according to a team at St John’s Hospital Illinois
HCM magazine
New legislation is exposing weakness and potential liabilities in the management of customer data in health clubs, says Andy Chesterman
HCM magazine
The new CEO of UK Active talks to HCM about the gym-curious and why he believes the sector can double in size by the end of the next decade
Opinion
promotion
Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Opinion: Building smarter strength spaces for today’s operators
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success.
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod.
Company profiles
Company profile: BLK BOX
BLK BOX - where precision meets strength, and innovation never stops in the pursuit of ...
Company profiles
Company profile: ukactive
ukactive is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more ...
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - From nightclub to health club
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - Future-proofing
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Featured press releases
Speedflex (UK press release: Inclusive Fitness in action: The Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible
Following the successful installation of the Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible, the UK based charity gym dedicated to making exercise accessible for people with physical disabilities, the innovative training solution has quickly become one of the facility’s
Featured press releases
BLK BOX press release: Inside the Player Gym at The Open, equipped by BLK BOX
The performance facility at Royal Birkdale gives the world’s leading golfers access to strength, conditioning, mobility and recovery equipment throughout Championship week.
Directory
Spa and beauty equipment
Oakworks Inc: Spa and beauty equipment
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Aquaform s.r.l.: Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Industrial washing machines
Miele Company Limited: Industrial washing machines
Hot tubs
MSpa International Ltd: Hot tubs
Lockers
Crown Sports Lockers: Lockers
Fitness tracking platform
SpiviTech: Fitness tracking platform
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Newmark
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Diary dates
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London,
Diary dates
26-29 Oct 2027
Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Diary dates

Latest news

CMS Committee ‘not convinced’ Premier League will sanction clubs failing disabled access guidelines

The parliamentary committee that scrutinises British sport has claimed it is “not convinced” the Premier League will take suitable action against its clubs that fail to make their stadiums more accessible to disabled people.

As a result, the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee’s Accessibility of Sport Stadia report recommends that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) “start legal proceeding” against the Premier League clubs that don’t adhere to the Accessible Stadia Guide.

“The Premier League told us that it would consider imposing sanctions on clubs that fail to improve sufficient accessibility,” said the report.

“Given 20 years of comparative inactivity by the football leagues, we are not convinced that the Premier League would impose suitable penalties on clubs, even for failing to meet building regulations.”

The CMS Committee has presided over a number of evidence hearing about the state of sports stadiums for disabled supporters.

In 2015, the Premier League made the commitment that all 20 of its clubs would be compliant with the Accessible Stadia Guide by the start of the 2017/18 season.

But during a hearing with Level Playing Field chair Joyce Cook, the committee found out that at least eight clubs were not expected to complete agreed improvements by the deadline.

Cook said the situation was “worrying” and “obscene”.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch has also endorsed the use of legal action by the EHRC for clubs not adhering to the specifications.

Damian Collins, chair of the CMS Committee, said it was “especially disappointing” that “some of the rich clubs are not doing more”.

He added that not making stadiums fit for use for disabled people was a “reputational risk” for sports clubs and “one sponsors would have to take seriously”.

“Sports fans with disabilities are not asking for a large number of expensive changes – only to have their needs taken into account in the way sports stadia are designed and operated,” said Collins.

“It is high time that sports clubs, especially for example those with plenty of resources as in football’s Premier League, change their mindset. This isn’t really about money, it’s about the will to do it.”

Related news

Sports minister backs EHRC to use legal powers against sports clubs with unaccessible stadiums

14 Dec 2016
The government will back the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) if it wishes to ...

Champion for disabled sports fans joins SGSA board

28 Jan 2016
Joyce Cook OBE, the founder of the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), ...
The parliamentary committee that scrutinises British sport has claimed it is “not convinced” the Premier League will take suitable action against its clubs that fail to make their stadiums more accessible to disabled people.
SAR
THUMB14391_543877.jpg

Latest news

Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional reformer movements
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch
Girls in the UK are missing out on 280 million hours of sport every year
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes of
Everlast Gyms expands its footprint outside of the UK this month with the imminent launch
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of  Physical activity guidelines:
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility  differentiation and long-term commercial
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and wellness
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international portfolio, with
Sophie Lawler, CEO of Total Fitness, has launched a leadership coaching business aimed at helping
Anytime Fitness reaches a milestone this week with the launch of its 6000th site. The
The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK, creating
YogaSix, the yoga brand owned by Xponential Fitness, has launched a heated, Pilates-inspired class called
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage
Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley, has reopened following a
The Gym Group, has announced that it's sustained positive trading momentum has continued through the
Hyrox has announced it will be working with a second charity in the upcoming season
US low-cost operator, Amped Fitness, has launched a flagship location in Texas, debuting its multi-sensory
Luxury boutique Pilates and wellness studio, X-Club, officially launches a 4,000sq ft flagship at Marylebone
The LifeFit Group continues its buy and build strategy with the acquisition of the Fitness
An ambitious women’s only strength and lifting studio concept is set to launch in Dallas this
Finnish outdoor fitness equipment specialist, Omnigym, has partnered with charity, Emmaüs Solidarité, to launch an
1 - 20 of 12,300
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Social fitness the missing link to member engagement, according to a new Myzone report
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square, London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
HCM People

Shaun Grove

Owner, Stride Fitness
My goal was to invest in where fitness is going, not where it’s already been
HCM magazine
The fitness industry is mourning the passing of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness, as Kath Hudson reports
HCM magazine
People on weight loss drugs reduce their activity levels, according to a team at St John’s Hospital Illinois
HCM magazine
New legislation is exposing weakness and potential liabilities in the management of customer data in health clubs, says Andy Chesterman
HCM magazine
The new CEO of UK Active talks to HCM about the gym-curious and why he believes the sector can double in size by the end of the next decade
HCM magazine
A new report puts physical activity at the heart of healthcare, says Muir Gray
HCM magazine
Lisa Starr tries the Ammortal Chamber to see whether layering 10 modalities into one experience really delivers more
HCM magazine
Fuel the debate about issues and opportunities across the industry. We’d love to hear from you. Write to [email protected]
HCM magazine
Would you stop selling memberships to prevent your club getting overcrowded? How do you strike the balance between maximising profits and prioritising the member experience? Kath Hudson talks to the experts
HCM magazine
Shaping the future of the sector with a clear mission, unified voice and open channels of communication. This is the ambition of UK Active’s new chair
HCM magazine
World Athletics president, Sebastian Coe talks to Liz Terry about the launch of Run X in partnership with Technogym
HCM magazine
Opinion
promotion
Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Opinion: Building smarter strength spaces for today’s operators
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success.
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod.
Company profiles
Company profile: BLK BOX
BLK BOX - where precision meets strength, and innovation never stops in the pursuit of ...
Company profiles
Company profile: ukactive
ukactive is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more ...
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - From nightclub to health club
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - Future-proofing
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Featured press releases
Speedflex (UK press release: Inclusive Fitness in action: The Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible
Following the successful installation of the Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible, the UK based charity gym dedicated to making exercise accessible for people with physical disabilities, the innovative training solution has quickly become one of the facility’s
Featured press releases
BLK BOX press release: Inside the Player Gym at The Open, equipped by BLK BOX
The performance facility at Royal Birkdale gives the world’s leading golfers access to strength, conditioning, mobility and recovery equipment throughout Championship week.
Directory
Spa and beauty equipment
Oakworks Inc: Spa and beauty equipment
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Aquaform s.r.l.: Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Industrial washing machines
Miele Company Limited: Industrial washing machines
Hot tubs
MSpa International Ltd: Hot tubs
Lockers
Crown Sports Lockers: Lockers
Fitness tracking platform
SpiviTech: Fitness tracking platform
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Newmark
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Diary dates
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London,
Diary dates
26-29 Oct 2027
Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Diary dates
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier:
Partner sites