Harrogate Borough Council has launched a community health and wellbeing company to manage its portfolio of leisure centres, swimming pools and gyms.

Called Brimhams Active, the Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) will operate the Hydro in Harrogate, Knaresborough Swimming Pool, Nidderdale Pool and Leisure Centre, Ripon Spa Baths and Starbeck Baths.

The move is part of a strategy to provide the council with operational savings through an "efficient, effective and sustainable business model", while improving the user experience at the facilities.

Brimhams Active will be led by MD Mark Tweedie, former CEO of Community Leisure (June 2020 to November 2020). Before that, Tweedie spent 10 years as CEO of two trusts – Active Tameside (from 2011 to 2018) and Active Northumberland (2018-2020).

Tweedie said: "The scale of the challenge set for us is more than matched by the scale of the opportunities we have in our grasp.

"Launching Brimhams Active with a new strategy and investment programme will allow us to transform a conventional leisure service into a leading community focussed health and wellbeing service.

"Our vision and strategy has some clear and achievable objectives. We will help Harrogate district residents of all ages, from all walks of life, live a healthy lifestyle and stay active for longer.

"We know we can’t do this alone and nor should we. We will work with partner organisations and stakeholders to develop partnerships and facilities to provide a holistic approach to health and wellbeing."

The launch of Brimhams Active has been accompanied by the publication of a new five-year strategy for the district's leisure services.

The strategy document sets out a plan to establish a service built around a ‘Five Ways to Wellness’ approach.

• To read a feature article on insourcing, click here for Issue 7 2021 of HCM.