Following a successful tendering process, from April 2026, Bolton Council will run its own leisure services via a managing agent, Bolton Middlebrook Leisure Trust.
This will include services in our leisure centres and sessions in our parks and green spaces.
Bolton Middlebrook Leisure Trust, a registered charity, which has been running the Bolton Arena Community Sports Village for 22 years, is taking over responsibility for the leisure centres at Horwich, Farnworth, and Westhoughton along with Leverhulme Park Community Centre and the Jason Kenny Centre at Bolton One.
These centres are currently being managed by Serco on behalf of Bolton Community Leisure Trust.
Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, said:
“Like any public organisation, we have a legal responsibility to carry out a thorough and robust tendering process when awarding contracts.
“Contracts are awarded based on several factors including value for money, quality of service and benefits to residents.
“All the bids were very strong, and I thank Serco for their service delivery during their contract with the council.”
Neil Hutchinson, Bolton Middlebrooks Managing Director, said:
“We are delighted all our hard work at Bolton Arena Community Sports Village has been recognised and now concluded with our successful bid.
“It was an extensive and competitive process designed to secure the best possible outcome for residents and communities of Bolton, and we are very much looking forward to working as Bolton Council’s agent in providing the strongest combination of quality, innovation and value for money services.
“We will be using our successful charitable model and building by bringing our ethos and culture to all five additional sites as we create a strong network of community-focused health and wellbeing facilities alongside investment that all corners of our diverse communities can be proud of.”