The Spectrum Leisure Centre. Get Surrey

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

A new water play area, re-designed gym and increased lido opening hours – these are some of the changes that could be coming to Guildford’s leisure operations under a proposed new contract.

Guildford Borough Council has announced it hopes to award a new leisure service contract to Wealden Leisure, trading as Freedom Leisure, the current contractors, following a procurement process.

The existing contract, which applies to the management and delivery of services at Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido and Ash Manor Sports Centre, is due to expire on October 31, 2025. In preparation, the council said it undertook a “robust” procurement exercise to secure a future operator from November 1, 2025.

Guildford Lido has not shut for the winter season. (Credit: Google Street View)

Freedom Leisure proposed almost £10 million worth of investment into the leisure sites, these included:

• Introduction of a state-of-the-art soft play facility to replace the undersized existing soft play provision at the Spectrum
• Expansion and re-design of the existing Spectrum gym
• Introduction of a new mini golf solution, ‘Puttify’
• Installation of a new interactive water splash pad and play area within the Spectrum Leisure pool
• For the Lido, a new Reformer Pilates and Yoga/Hot Yoga Studio to replace the existing gym
• Three new floodlit Padel Tennis Courts (to replace the redundant crazy golf site and existing catering building)
• Sauna Cabin & Ice bath therapy dip pools
• Floodlights to facilitate year-round swimming

All-year-round swimming in the Lido could also be included. Freedom Leisure has proposed to operate the pool during the summer as well as between 7am-9pm during the winter months, subject to installation of external lighting.

Although Guildford council is likely to be absorbed into a mega council by 2027 under local government reorganisation, it is anticipated the contract would move over to the local authority.

Catherine Houston

Catherine Houston, lead councillor for Climate Change and Leisure, said she is “delighted by the outcome” of the tendering. She said:  “This proposed contract builds on the existing leisure offer in the borough and I look forward to seeing more opportunities for people to take part in leisure and well-being activities over the coming years.

“Guildford Spectrum is not only the most popular leisure centre in the South East, but also a nationally recognised destination, drawing visitors from across the country.

“It’s no surprise that along with the Lido, which is loved and appreciated by thousands of visitors each year, and Ash Manor Sports Centre, the tender attracted significant interest, with some of the largest leisure operators nationally reaching the final stage.”

In the new contract, the winning tenderer has committed to paying an average annual management fee of approximately £2.5 million per annum over a 10-year period. Under the current contract the the council was just over £1.1 million in 2024/25. The new arrangement is expected to generate in-year savings of £3.1 million by year 10.

Currently, the council pays the utility bills for the operator at the rates agreed when signed in November 2011. But under the new arrangements the victorious tenderer will organise its own utilities bills and the council will be responsible for any additional costs or savings an admitted risk but GBC believes the shared risk reduced the council’s financial exposure to things going wrong.

The proposed contractor still has a number of hoops to jump through before everything is signed-off. Councillors will interrogate the contract agreement and the provider before a final decision is made at the end of July.