Watchdog looking into leisure centres closure

A watchdog is "assessing concerns" about the charity behind two leisure centres that closed down suddenly in Lincoln.

Active Nation ceased trading and announced the closure of the Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres on Wednesday, blaming "the ongoing utility crisis and the challenges it has created".

The Charity Commission said it had "opened a case to assess concerns about the governance and financial management of Active Nation Limited" and would be engaging with trustees.

Staff and members of the gyms have raised fears about unpaid wages and pre-paid fees. Active Nation has been contacted for comment.

City of Lincoln Council, which owns the buildings, has said it is in talks with potential alternative providers and was confident one could be found.

However, staff at the leisure centres said they had been left in limbo.

Elaine Richardson, who was a gym instructor at Yarborough for nearly nine years, added: "We got paid in March, but we don't know if we're going to get paid in April or not."

Dan Miller, 38, who was a body pump instructor at Yarborough Leisure Centre, said "there has been no communication whatsoever" on the closure and what it would mean for staff.

He said he had submitted invoices to be paid for last month's work.

"I hope someone steps in and picks up where Active Nation left off because the centre is really valuable to the local community," he added.

In a statement on Wednesday, Active Nation, a registered charity, said: "No alternative providers have been identified for transferring services, which means the centres will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

"We are deeply disappointed by this outcome."

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