Testimonials:

“SLC provided a comprehensive financial report that informed the Council’s decision making to reopen their leisure centres at a very challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The detailed analysis of our operator’s financial forecast enabled us to understand the financial consequences and allowed us to remobilise leisure centres once Government lifted the restrictions on the industry so that residents could get back to being physically active, which was much needed during this time.”

Nicky Boothroyd, Facilities Contracts Manager
Manchester City Council (MCR Active)

“SLC’s support was invaluable when looking at the Covid support for our leisure provider, their industry expertise and ability to translate that into how we could respond really supported our decision making around this complex and uncertain area. They were also accessible at short notice and for lots of last minute questions.”

Julia Smith, Director Communities and Wellbeing, Harborough District Council

“SLC supported the Council with a robust independent management options appraisal during the COVID crisis in summer 2020. Although the Council had been with the same outsourced operator for over 20 years, SLC’s understanding of the Council’s aspirations for leisure and insight regarding the impact of COVID on the sector led to the conclusion that the optimum solution for South Kesteven was to run its four leisure facilities through a Local Authority Trading Company.
Following this decision SLC supported the Council in developing a business and mobilisation plan for the new company, Leisure SK, which was ready for business in January 2021 and following lockdown opened the centres in April 2021. SLC’s independent advice and insight were vital building blocks in helping us secure the post-COVID future for leisure in the district through Leisure SK at an extremely difficult time for public leisure services”.

Karen Whitfield, Head of Leisure, South Kesteven District Council

“SLC’s expert support and advice throughout a very challenging period for the Council was invaluable in securing a positive outcome for our leisure services. They were flexible in their approach when Covid-19 led to a required change in direction and their industry expertise and knowledge together with clearly presented and timely solutions added real value to the contract extension negotiations and enabled the Council to make fully informed decisions. Communication was superb – always available by phone, quick to reply to emails and reports were always turned round within agreed deadlines even when these were very tight. We were very happy with the support provided by SLC and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.”

Mark Aldous, Senior Leisure & Cultural Services Officer, Assets & Commercial Services

“Thurrock Council recommended SLC to me, and I have not been disappointed.”

Martin Randall, Director for Communities

Adur District and Worthing Borough Councils

“Duncan and his team at SLC took our brief to develop an exciting and meaningful future strategy aimed at making a difference in recreational swimming and delivered a powerful and innovative set of recommendations that have given the organisation a purposeful direction for its future.

Particularly impressive was the skill and tenacity they showed in ensuring a wide cross section of the Foundation’s many partner organisations contributed to the plan, spanning the Charity, NGB, commercial, public, and voluntary sectors; crucial to an organisation reliant on co-operation from all those involved in the delivery of public swimming across the UK.”

Anthony Kendall OBE, Chair 

Swimathon Foundation

“We used SLC to support the re-tendering of our Leisure Contract in 2018 and found their industry knowledge and experience to be excellent. Consequently we were very pleased to be able to secure their services for this assignment and they did not disappoint – will definitely use again.”

Graham Rowe, Partnership Services Manager, Crawley Borough Council

“I don’t think you’ll regret using SLC. My personal view, is that compared to another consultancy the Council have used on leisure matters, they are head and shoulders above them in terms of market knowledge and reporting.”

Marie Percival, Regeneration and Property Officer
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

“The team provided expert advice and current market insight at every step of the way, including the development of clear strategic priorities, an innovative service specification and a procurement strategy which secured engagement from bidders despite a highly competitive and busy market. Their professional but supportive and friendly approach means that they’re easy to work with, accessible and extremely reliable.

The result was outstanding, exceeding all expectations – revenue savings of over £10M over the term of the contract, reduced risk to the Council and a new robust and innovative specification which extends the reach and impact of the service. We couldn’t have asked for more from SLC and would highly recommend them to anybody looking for procurement support.”

Chris Fennell, Leisure & Community Section Head
Watford Borough Council

“The team at SLC produced an insightful report which will support our corporate decision making process to ensure that the built and natural environments at Ebbsfleet help create active communities. SLC went above and beyond to ensure that our needs as their client were met and have helped us to identify our next steps in order to deliver the strategy.”

Miriam Fagbemi, Community and Health Project Manager
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation