Places Leisure selected to operate Wandsworth’s leisure and sports centres

The decision to re-appoint Places Leisure was taken by Wandsworth’s Cabinet and follows a competitive tender process. The new contract will begin on 1 October 2025 for at least 10 years, with the option to extend for an additional five years.

Places Leisure has committed to improve, enhance and modernise facilities, launch a new Active Communities programme to encourage inactive residents to move more and continue its support for Access for All, Britain’s best concession scheme, which offers eligible residents 50% to 100% discounts on key leisure services such as gym and swim, including 260 free tickets to Tooting Bec Lido every day.

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We’re committed to helping people move more, feel better and live healthier lives. This new contract ensures residents benefit from excellent, modern facilities both in our centres and out in the community, especially with the new £24m investment in long over-due improvements over the next four years.

“In addition to this investment, we are continuing to seek out even more opportunities to improve our centres, such as recently securing funding from Sport England and investment from the government to make Putney Leisure Centre more carbon and energy efficient. We are committed to delivering the best services for our residents, all while maintaining the lowest Council Tax in the country.

“Places Leisure shares our ambition to make sport and leisure more inclusive, and through our Access for All scheme, eligible residents can enjoy these spaces for 50% to 100% off. The scheme’s success speaks for itself, with 80,000 bookings made in our leisure centres already. I am looking forward to seeing this continue to rise over the next 10 years in our work to build a fairer, more compassionate Wandsworth.”

Dan Walker, Business Development Director at Places Leisure, added: “We are delighted to be extending our successful partnership with Wandsworth Council for a further 10 years. As the UK’s Leading Social Enterprise, we recognise the importance that these facilities bring to the local community and the positive impact they make to residents’ lives.

“The facilities are much loved pillars of the community. Alongside Wandsworth Council, we are excited to present our investment plans which we believe will transform the services for residents and allow the community to thrive. This investment will make much-needed upgrades, as well as introduce some exciting new developments which will benefit the local community.”

Which centres are included?

From 1 October, Places Leisure will manage the following centres. The majority of these are currently managed by Places Leisure, except for Battersea Sports Centre:

• Tooting Leisure Centre
• Tooting Bec Lido
• Putney Leisure Centre
• Roehampton Sport and Fitness Centre
• Balham Leisure Centre
• Latchmere Leisure Centre
• Wandle Recreation Centre
• Battersea Sports Centre (currently managed by Enable Leisure and Culture) 

Investing in better facilities 

An investment of over £24 million has been agreed to refurbish and modernise several of the borough’s leisure and sports centres, with Wandsworth Council investing £18.3 million and Places Leisure £5.7 million.

Proposed improvements will be phased over the first four years of the contract and include:

Putney Leisure Centre

A new reception, cafe, studio, soft play area, party room and health and wellbeing suite. Improvements to pool and refurbishment of changing rooms and fitness suite.

Tooting Leisure Centre

A new group cycling studio, soft play area, multi-purpose community events room and luxury health suite. Improvements to reception and cafe, health and fitness suite, pool and changing rooms.

Wandle Recreation Centre

New catering offer, inflatables for sports hall and four new padel tennis courts. Improved health, wellbeing and community offer.

Roehampton Sports & Fitness Centre

Improved fitness and community offer.

Balham Leisure Centre

New luxury health suite, reformer Pilates studio and group ex studio. Improved fitness suite, group cycling studio, reception, changing rooms and pool.

Tooting Bec Lido

New splash pad, pool pod and events programme.

Battersea Sports Centre

New pop-up padel tennis court and improved health and fitness suite.

Latchmere Leisure Centre

New sports hall inflatables and additional water play features. Improved health and fitness suite, wet side area and pool.

Bringing activity into the community 

The new contract features the launch of a new Active Communities programme, designed to reach residents who aren’t currently active. This will involve delivering activities outside of the leisure centres in the local community, focusing on areas with the greatest need and supporting the ambitions in the Wandsworth Moves Together strategy.

Some examples include an Active Communities Health Bus which will deliver free health checks in key areas, exercise referral programmes which have already been incredibly helpful for some residents, health walks, and more.

In addition, Places Leisure has committed to continuing delivering successful initiatives such as free swimming lessons for children in years 2-7 who cannot swim 25 metres and supporting our Access for All scheme.

The video below shows you how one resident and her family have already benefitted.

Get involved 

Join your local centre and enjoy top-class facilities, classes, and community programmes. Explore what’s on near you by visiting your nearest centre’s website.

If you are interested in our Access for All scheme, check your eligibility and sign up to become a member for free today.