Birchwood and Yarborough Leisure Centres closed by Active Nation

• This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

The Birchwood and Yarborough Leisure Centres are closed this morning as operator Active Nation has ceased trading.

Members of both centres received the following message after 10pm on Wednesday

“We are writing to inform you of an important update regarding the immediate operation of our leisure venues in Lincoln. Due to the ongoing utility crisis and the challenges, it has created, Active Nation has made the difficult decision to close Yarborough Leisure Centre and Birchwood Leisure Centre, effective Wednesday, April 2nd.

“After discussions with the City of Lincoln Council, we regret to inform you that 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 and would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all Lincoln residents for your support since 2007. It has been an honour to serve this community, and we are truly grateful for the trust and loyalty you have shown us over the years.

“Once again, thank you for being such an integral part of our journey.” The Active Nation Team

Other leisure centres run by Active Nation nationally have also been affected its decision to cease trading – some have already been taken over by other operators.

Update

Simon Walters, Strategic Director of Communities and Environment at City of Lincoln Council, said: "We are sorry to learn that Active Nation has ceased trading with immediate effect.

 "Active Nation was responsible for operating two leisure centres in our buildings at Yarborough and Birchwood. Their announcement will no doubt cause considerable concern to users of those two facilities, and of course to the staff employed in them.

 "We know that staff have worked incredibly hard to try to keep facilities running during some very tough trading conditions in the leisure industry, and we'd like to express our sympathies to everyone who will be in any way affected by Active Nation’s announcement.

 "This is a very sad development, and we would advise all Active Nation customers with pre-paid memberships to contact their bank, card provider or the liquidator/administrator once appointed. 

"The city council is now in the process of repossessing our buildings and assessing our available options."

A council spokesman added that Sunday's Lincoln 10k event will not be affected by the Yarborough Leisure Centre closure.