Leisure centre to stay open after deal struck

A new operator has been found to run a leisure centre that was at risk of closing to the public.

Much Wenlock Leisure Centre, which is based at William Brookes School, was at risk after Shropshire Council proposed withdrawing its funding from March in order to make savings.

But the school and the 3-18 Education Trust it is part of said Halo Leisure had been appointed to run the centre under a 10-year agreement.

The trust said the school's head, Ruth Shaw, led months of work with local partners and the wider community to "secure the future of the leisure centre for the benefit of both students and the local public".

Shaw said: "We are delighted and greatly relieved that the leisure centre has been saved.

"This has been a remarkable team effort and marks another important moment in the rebuilding of William Brookes School."

James Owen, from Shropshire Council, said the authority had been working to find a funding source to secure the centre's future and was "delighted" money from the town's Community Infrastructure Levy would be used, without the need for a council subsidy.

Halo Leisure will take over the running of Much Wenlock Leisure Centre on 1 April.

Halo chief executive Scott Rolfe said they were "delighted to be selected by the school".

"Our social enterprise business model and registered charity status allows us to trade for social purposes and not for profit, something the school recognised as a sign of quality and strength," he said.

Town mayor Dan Thomas said: "For the people of Much Wenlock, this isn't just about a building, it's about health, wellbeing, and maintaining the unique Olympic legacy of our town."

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