Halo Leisure has revealed ambitions to make physical activity more accessible to under-represented groups, after being granted a 75-year extension to its council contract in Herefordshire.

The long-term deal will enable Halo “to make more concrete longer-term business decisions which would help to ensure a sustainable leisure offer” across the county.

As part of the deal with Herefordshire Council, the operator will work with partners in local government and public health to engage with under-represented groups, especially those who find physical activity challenging due to illness or a medical condition.

Herefordshire is Halo's biggest contract, covering 11 centres across the county, but it also manages a further 11 leisure centres and sports facilities on behalf of three other authorities in England and Wales.

“We make sure we absolutely understand each locality and the needs of the communities, building bridges with them, and with local charities, health organisations, sports bodies, GP practices and more, so we can shape our offering to suit and reach people of all ages and abilities in the most effective way,” said Scott Rolfe, chief executive of Halo.

“We are, like many leisure providers in the UK today, way more than just a gym or a local pool.”

Since it launched in Herefordshire in 2002, Halo's community partnership work has included adopting GP referral schemes and healthy ageing initiatives.

Councillor Harry Bramer, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for contracts and assets, said: “Halo’s services enable our residents to live safe, healthy and independent lives and have become an integral part of our community, used by families, schools, charities, athletes and sports clubs.”

Over the past 18 months, the partnership has invested £10m (US$13.6m, €11.3m) in leisure centres across the county, including a £2.4m (US$3.1m, €2.7m) refurbishment project in Ledbury last year.