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Sept 2023

Last Updated: 08/09/2023

Ripon leisure centre halts price increase due to ongoing work

by John Plummer

| 08 Sept, 2023

Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre.

A price increase at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon has been halted after complaints from customers prompted a councillor to intervene.

Brimhams Active, the company that runs leisure centres in the Harrogate district on behalf of North Yorkshire Council, recently increased its monthly membership fees.

The council has spent £45 million on upgrading facilities in the district and this week re-opened the former Hydro under the new name Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.

But the decision to increase the monthly membership fee at Ripon by £6.50 led to a backlash because customers are still using a temporary gym in the car park due to the delayed completion of ground stabilisation work on the old part of the building.

Group exercise classes are being provided offsite at Hugh Ripley Hall.

Mark Tweedie, managing director at Brimhams Active, said recent upgrades meant it now offered "significantly improved swim, gym and group exercise opportunities" but membership fees had increased.

He added:

"Although significant investment has been made to deliver a new state of the art leisure facility in Ripon comprising of a new swimming pool, sauna/steam experience and new gym equipment, following customer feedback we have acknowledged that the membership offer remains comparatively limited due to the delayed works to refurbish the ground floor facilities which will include upgraded group exercise studios.

"Therefore, we have committed to holding back on increasing the price of our all-inclusive membership for Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre customers until we are confident the offer is comparable to our other facilities."

Cllr Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservative and Independents group on North Yorkshire Council who represents Ripon Minster and Moorside, raised residents' concerns with the council.

Cllr Williams said the council had agreed not to proceed with the £6.50 monthly price hike in Ripon. He said:

"I welcome following my intervention the decision to withdraw plans to increase the fees in September and to revisit the whole situation when the facilities in Ripon are comparable with those elsewhere in the area.

"This is a clear example of the council listening to the concerns raised by residents and seeking to respond positively and swiftly to address their concerns."

Cllr Williams added:

"Any future decision on the fees at Ripon leisure centre will have to be subject of appropriate consultation."

'Fantastic value'

Mr Tweedie said Brimhams Active's all-inclusive monthly membership fee, which allows unlimited swim, gym and group exercise at all of its facilities, "represents fantastic value which we have been able to achieve despite significantly increased operational costs". It costs £44.95 a month or £35.95 for concessions at non-Ripon sites.

Besides new facilities in Ripon and Harrogate, the gym at Nidderdale Leisure and Wellness Centre in Pateley Bridge has been refurbished and the new Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre is due to open this year.

Mr Tweedie added:

"We also bringing a new leading edge customer offer for people who take out a Brimhams Active membership. This involves a range of new, more personalised, services designed to support members with a holistic approach to help them achieve their health and wellbeing goals to be their best selves."

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