Newcastle City Council has confirmed that Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) will take over the running of the historic City Baths, following the collapse of the previous operator, Fusion Lifestyle. The council admitted it is unlikely to recover more than £6 million it is owed from Fusion, but said the move protects the future of the grade II-listed pool and Turkish Baths.
New operator appointed after administration
Fusion Lifestyle, which had operated the baths since 2016, went into administration earlier this year. The council had loaned Fusion £5.5 million towards the restoration of the site, which opened in 1928 and reopened in January 2020 after a major refurbishment. Documents show the council has lodged claims for £6.06 million, but Civic Centre chiefs said on Wednesday they were “unlikely” to get that money back in full.
GLL, which already runs several leisure centres in Newcastle and Gateshead, will take over the management. The council said no jobs are expected to be lost, with existing staff transferred to GLL.
Council and user groups welcome the news
Coun Rob Austin, the council’s cabinet member for culture and communities, said: “There has been a period of uncertainty for members of The City Baths and the Turkish Baths since Fusion went into administration. The council promised to do all that it could to protect the much-loved facility and I am delighted to announce that has now been achieved. GLL manage nearly 400 public services around the country such as pools, leisure centres, gyms and libraries. They already manage some of our existing facilities, so it makes perfect sense to strengthen our partnership with them.”
John Egan, of the Newcastle City Baths User Group, said its members were “clear that they want to see the baths thrive and continue serving the people of Newcastle for generations to come”. He added: “We look forward to working constructively with GLL as they take on the management of the pool and Turkish baths. Users bring a wealth of experience and passion for the facility, and we hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on high standards, investment, accessibility, community engagement and a consistently excellent customer experience.”
Assurances of smooth transition
Teresa Marshall, of the Friends of the City Baths, Newcastle, said: “We welcome the news that a new operator has been agreed for Newcastle City Baths, ensuring the continuing operation of this much-loved historic leisure facility.” Nadeem Sweiss, a director of Fusion Lifestyle’s administrations S&W Partners LLP, said the appointment of GLL would “enable a smooth transition that safeguards this much-valued community asset” and that access would be uninterrupted.
Tim Bestford, GLL’s head of service, added: “We are delighted to be taking on the management of this important and historic community asset. GLL is already rooted in the city; operating five local leisure facilities on behalf of the City Council - while as a not-for-profit social enterprise our mission is to protect public services. Looking ahead we will be exploring ways to expand and improve the service offering and look forward to welcoming customers in the coming days.”
The council hopes to “still recover income from the future running of the centre under its concession with GLL”.
