press release: GLL
Leisure services in Bedford to come under the Better brand
14 Nov 2023
Customers and staff at Bedford Borough Council's leisure centres will transfer to GLL from Thursday 1 February 2024 / GLL
The new partnership means customers and staff will transfer to GLL from Thursday 1 February 2024 with services provided under the ‘Better’ brand.
Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL said: "We are delighted to be a new partner with Bedford Borough Council. We are looking forward to working together to enhance leisure services and provide health and wellbeing opportunities for Borough residents.
"As a charitable social enterprise and the largest operator in the leisure sector, we will bring our experience and expertise to increase services on offer. We look forward to sharing plans and developments with users and local communities."
Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Sarah Gallagher, said: “We look forward to working with GLL on the provision of leisure services in Bedford Borough. Our aim is for our leisure centres to serve as more than just places for exercise; they should also be vibrant hubs that promote well-being and create shared experiences for everyone.
“During the course of this contract we will be working with residents and local sports clubs to develop a modernisation and investment strategy that reflects the future vision for leisure provision in the borough.”
Councillor Sarah Gallagher added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of our current providers Fusion Lifestyle, particularly their dedicated staff as, we recognise that the past few years have been difficult for leisure providers due to the impact of the pandemic but appreciate their efforts throughout to deliver our commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents. We will be working with Fusion Lifestyle to ensure a smooth transition to the new contract for their staff, contractors, service users and our residents.”
Customers will initially notice GLL and ‘Better’ branding appearing in centres. Further details of the transfer will be communicated with customers and staff in due course.
More press releases and updates from GLL:
The UK’s leading leisure and cultural charitable social enterprise GLL, will start an
exciting new partnership with Newham Council to take over the operation of Newham leisure
centres from next year.
Swimming teachers from leisure operator Better are visiting 18 Swindon primary schools this
November, as part of a water safety roadshow designed to encourage children to stay safe
around water during the winter months.
Jenny Hawke, GLL’s Children’s Librarian at Orpington Library, Bromley has been appointed as
Chair of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) National
Youth Libraries Group.
The Charitable Social Enterprise GLL will start operating Mole Valley District Council
(MVDC) leisure centres in the coming days.
The UK’s foremost charitable leisure & library social enterprise GLL marked its first 30
years with a special celebration at The House of Commons (2 November) attended by an array
of industry, sporting and library leaders alongside politicians and Members of the House of
Lords.
GLL: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
Mark Sesnan, co-founder and CEO of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), has announced that he
will be standing down as chief executive at the end of this year after 30 years.
HCM NEWS: Sesnan questions Tower Hamlet insourcing decision – says it will increase costs by £2.1m a year
Mark Sesnan, CEO of GLL, has pushed back on Tower Hamlet Council’s decision to take the
operation of its leisure services back in-house when GLL’s contract ends in April 2024.
UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) is backing research to investigate the
lack of older adults accessing facilities for exercise and the barriers they face.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) has appointed Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to
manage its range of sports facilities on a 10-year contract.
Two staff were injured and Twenty Six GLL leisure facilities had to close their doors on Friday
18 February, as Storm Eunice swept west across the UK with devastating force and speed.
Eight of the top 20 private health club operators in the UK have grown their estates since 2019
– in spite of the pandemic – while three more have retained the same number of locations.
GLL: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
Insight: Country life
Many living in rural areas are missing out on fitness, as the
standard gym model doesn’t work with low population densities.
Kath Hudson asks how public and private sectors can broaden their reach
Talking point: Everyone's talking about ESG
Insight: Pooling knowledge
Leisure DB has published its
State of the UK Swimming Industry
Report 2023. Liz Terry looks at
some of the key findings
Tough times: Mark Sesnan
Thirty years ago, when Mark Sesnan conceived the idea of public
leisure services being run as charitable trusts everyone said it couldn’t
be done. Kath Hudson hears how he and his team made it happen
Interview: Peter Bundey & Mark Sesnan
As GLL celebrates its 30th anniversary, its CEO and its
founder look back at key milestones and share the headlines
of a new five-year plan, as Kate Cracknell reports
Policy: Weighing in
Weight loss drugs are about to
hit the mainstream, creating
competition and opportunity for
the sector, as Liz Terry reports
GLL
Address:
Middlegate House,
The Royal Arsenal,
London,
SE18 6SX,
UK
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
GLL video gallery:
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
Phil Donnay, deputy ceo
Mark Sesnan, OBE, chief officer and special adviser
Phil Donnay, deputy ceo
Mark Sesnan, OBE, chief officer and special adviser
Key customers
Companies we work with include Annodata, Physical Company, Technogym, Change Please and Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Plans for the next 12 months
Continue the strong bounce back from Covid, growing membership and sales.
Reducing barriers to participation by maintaining our concessions and Kids for a Quid scheme.
Partnering with UK Active, Community Leisure UK, the LGA, RLSS, Swim England and SEUK lobbying central and local government for financial support to meet the ‘existential threat’ to public leisure operators from utility price rises.
Reducing barriers to participation by maintaining our concessions and Kids for a Quid scheme.
Partnering with UK Active, Community Leisure UK, the LGA, RLSS, Swim England and SEUK lobbying central and local government for financial support to meet the ‘existential threat’ to public leisure operators from utility price rises.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
Testimonial
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
Testimonial
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
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