Council could pay £500k to repair leisure centre

A council could pay up to £500,000 after failing to properly check the condition of a leisure centre in Surrey before handing it over to a new operator.

Places Leisure took over the contract of managing Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom on 1 October last year and uncovered issues including poor ventilation, damp and possible roof cracks.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has agreed to cover the costs of urgent repairs.

Council leaders Neil Dallen and Clive Woodbridge said as with any handover, it was "normal practice for there to be negotiations around works to be carried out which form part of the contract finalisation".

They added that investments into the venue by Places Leisure included upgrades to the gym, studios and swimming changing rooms.

A Places Leisure spokesperson said: "We are excited to work closely with the council to implement changes and significant investment at the centre to make a positive impact for the local community."

The pay out was approved through a confidential urgent decision after Places Leisure said it should not be responsible for the repairs, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS)

Some of the problems relate to the fabric of the building, for which the council is responsible as the landlord, LDRS understands.

In a public report in June 2025, the council said it had commissioned a report to ensure the building was handed over in good condition. An external consultant was used, but the inspection was not invasive.

When Places Leisure took over, it found issues it believed the previous operator should have fixed. These include fire alarm faults, lift issues, broken seating, damaged glazing, faulty toilets and machinery at "end of life", it said.

The council has agreed to let Places Leisure carry out the repairs and reclaim the costs.

Other costs may be recoverable from former operator GLL, but legal experts warned the council was unlikely to recover the full amount.

GLL has been approached for comment.

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