Background

SLC were commissioned by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in May 2024 to support the procurement of a new leisure operating contract for its portfolio of 6 leisure facilities.

The facilities across the former local authority areas of Northampton and Daventry (now part of the WNC unitary authority) were previously managed under separate contracts with Trilogy Active and SLM respectively.

The Council is currently developing a new Active Lives Strategy 2025-30, designed to “create the conditions that enable everyone in West Northamptonshire to be active”. It recognises the distinct health inequalities that exist across the region and the role of physical activity in helping to address these as part of a system-wide approach. The new contract has been designed to act as a supporting tool for the new strategy and the operator partner will play a critical role in contributing to the identified outcomes.

SLC provided the Council with end-to-end support and guidance throughout the procurement process by delivering the following staged workstreams.

Pre-Procurement Support

SLC worked with the Council’s Leisure Procurement Project Board to develop a robust procurement strategy. This was informed by engagement with various internal and external stakeholders.

The procurement strategy set out the approach to the procurement and established a suitable balance between meeting the Council’s requirements whilst ensuring the opportunity was attractive to the market.

Key to the procurement strategy was the inclusion of a Council investment fund for operators to develop investment options. The business case for each of these options was tested through the tender process. This enabled the Council to assess the projected return on investment, the improvement to the overall financial position and how effectively the proposals met local needs.

Procurement Process

SLC provided guidance throughout each stage of the procurement process. This included helping with responses to clarification questions, evaluating bids, facilitating bidder negotiation meetings and providing analysis and advice on financial submissions.

Two variant elements were tested at the initial tender stage with one being the inclusion of the Council investment fund. This enabled the Council to test the business case for potential developments without committing to any capital funding. The initial tender demonstrated a strong business case and following approval from Cabinet, it was agreed to include the investment fund in the revised tender requirements.

Project Outcome

The procurement process concluded in November 2025 with the appointment of Everyone Active as the preferred operator under a new 10-year leisure management contract from 1 April 2026.

The new 10-year agreement brings together the six facilities across Northampton and Daventry under a single contract. There is a broader remit to tackle health inequalities through more diverse, inclusive and impactful services.

The process delivered an outstanding outcome for the Council and its residents. Backed by c.£5.6m of capital investment to improve the facilities, the new contract will significantly improve the management fee and repay the Council’s investment by the end of the term. This has been achieved through a combination of improved income and efficiencies in service delivery.

The contract also promises to deliver a number of additional benefits including:

  • A new Active Communities programme designed to help inactive and less active residents get moving
  • New weekly inclusive programmes for inactive and priority groups including 10+ sessions delivered in community settings
  • Discounted fees for care-experienced young people and carers as well as support for vulnerable groups, Armed Forces veterans, emergency service workers, students and those of state pension age
  • Free family memberships for children in foster care and their carers. There will also be free memberships for people with Parkinson’s to support inclusivity and accessibility
  • £675k investment in energy-saving technologies, including LED lighting, solar PV and pool system upgrades which will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 184 tonnes
  • Investment in new hydromassage beds, Reformer Pilates studios and soft play areas. Group exercise spaces will be upgraded and gyms will be extended at Lings Forum and Danes Camp
  • Improvement to amenity areas including new reception/café areas, improved changing facilities, and upgrades to signage, furniture and audio-visual systems

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