An increase in the number of people attending classes and gyms resulted in Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) boosting its 2015/16 turnover by £3.3m (US$4.1m, €3.7m).

Across SLT’s nine sport and leisure centres the number of visits grew by 26,085 to 1.83m, with the number of people visiting fitness classes and the gym mushrooming by 19 per cent and three per cent respectively.

Overall membership surged by 21 per cent year-on-year by 8,500 to almost 50,000. Its free swimming initiative for children and over-60s has seen the number of youngster and OAPs that visit the centres increase by 29 per cent and 47 per cent respectively.

During the year SLT also opened the doors to its £8.1m (US$10.1m, €9m) Wednesbury Leisure Centre, as well as investing £350,000 on facilities across six new sites, including a 3G pitch at Hadley Stadium Leisure Centre in Smethwick.

Lynda Bateman, SLT chair, said the trust was “delighted to report on another successful year in a competitive market with challenging local demographics”.

“SLT continues to exceed targets, invest in facilities we manage and increase attendances,” she added. “Consequently, the board is committed to providing excellent service in Sandwell and delivering great customer service is the top priority of our staff.”

Sandwell cabinet member for leisure, Richard Marshall, said: “It’s really important our residents have every opportunity to be fit, healthy and active – and we have therefore continued to invest in our leisure facilities at a time of increasing budget pressures.”