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ISSUE 2 2012 VOLUME 32 NUMBER 2 PHILLIP MILLS On changing the face A SPORTING of group exercise LEGACY

How the 2010 FIFA World Cup changed South Africa

Hot new restaurant trends Inside Madonna’s Moscow health club Azerbaijan THE SMALL COUNTRY How Hackney Picturehouse took shape WITH BIG AMBITIONS

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7HUPV FRQGLWLRQVDSSO\ EDITOR’S LETTER

Email: contact’s full name @leisuremedia.com THE FUTURE OF THE DCMS SUBSCRIPTIONS Denise Gildea +44 (0)1462 471930 n February, the Institute [email protected] of Economic Affairs The DCMS was assessed by CIRCULATION MANAGER (IEA) staged a panel speakers at the Institute for Michael Emmerson discussion on the sub- +44 (0)1462 471932 I Economic A airs as having ject ‘Should we abolish the EDITOR Department for Culture, Media ‘second rate civil servants’, Liz Terry +44 (0)1462 431385 and Sport (DCMS)?’ The event ‘by far the smallest budget MANAGING EDITOR can be viewed on the IEA’s web- in Whitehall’ and being too site (http://lei.sr?a=Z0T8w). Magali Robathan marginal a department for +44 (0)117 9723101 It has triggered rumblings CONTRIBUTORS which have continued since, ambitious politicians who Kate Cracknell prompting Harriet Harmon to want to build a career +44 (0)1462 471906 write in the Evening Standard Kathleen Whyman last week that well placed +44 (0)1462 471918 sources in Whitehall are indicating the matter of It’s bruising to see our ministry being MANAGING EDITOR/NEWS abolishing the DCMS after the Olympics is under mauled as it was during the IEA event – Tom Walker serious discussion and to call on the govern- where it was assessed by speakers as having +44 (0)1462 471934 ment to make its position clear. ‘by far the smallest budget in Whitehall’, with ASSISTANT EDITOR/NEWS I found the IEA ‘discussion’ hard to watch bumbling, ‘second rate civil servants’ and Pete Hayman +44 (0)1462 471938 for two reasons. Firstly, the panellists’ sneer- being too marginal a department for ambi- LEISURE KIT.NET ing contempt for the work of our industries tious politicians who want to build a career. Martin Nash and secondly, their shocking lack of knowl- Although the leisure industries as we know +44 (0)1462 471927 edge of their economic and social value. And them today are only a few decades old, lei- PUBLISHER although it was billed as such, it wasn’t a ‘dis- sure is now the largest area of consumer John Challinor cussion’, as no-one involved spoke for the expenditure, a major job and wealth genera- +44 (0)1582 607970 DCMS, it was simply an attack and in my opin- tor, a driving force behind the UK’s tourism DISPLAY ADVERTISING ion, conducted without any degree of rigour. industry and a contributor to the health of the Julie Badrick It took decades of lobbying before the nation, yet we are still failing to get this mes- +44 (0)1462 4719019 emerging leisure industries were deemed sage across to government and stakeholders David Hunt important enough politically and economically and we remain vulnerable as a result. +44 (0)1462 471902 Astrid Ros to merit their own ministry, and the creation If the DCMS’s responsibilities are farmed +44 (0)1462 471911 of the Department of National Heritage (DNH) out to other ministries as part of a cost sav- Jan Williams in 1992 marked a coming of age for the sec- ing exercise, we will have to acknowledge +44 (0)1462 471909 tor, which needed this support, coordination that, as an industry, we failed to infl uence ADVERTISING ARTWORK and legislative focus to realise its potential. and shape the development of our dedicated Ed Gallagher But in these times of cuts, it’s necessary ministry and failed to lobby effectively to +44 (0)1905 20198 to keep everything under review and rather prove the worth of our sector. Both would be DESIGN than being defensive, we must question how bitter pills to swallow and we need to act now Andy Bundy effectively the DCMS has been developed in if we are to avoid this outcome. +44 (0)1462 471924 its 20 year lifespan, ask whether it’s every- INTERNET thing we need it to be and consider whether Liz Terry, Editor Twitter @elizterry Dean Fox +44 (0)1462 471900 it has fulfi lled its role as a key partner and Read leisure management online: Emma Harris champion of our creative, dynamic industries. www.leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital +44 (0)1462 431385 Tim Nash +44 (0)1462 471917 The Leisure Michael Paramore Media Company +44 (0)1462 471926 publishes: FINANCIAL CONTROL Sue Davis +44 (0)1395 519398 CONTACT US: Leisure Management works in partnership with FINANCIAL ADMIN The Leisure Media Company Ltd, Portmill House, Denise Gildea Portmill Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1DJ UK +44 (0)1462 471930 CREDIT CONTROL Rebekah Scott SUBSCRIPTIONS: [email protected] +44 (0)1462 431385 Tel: +44 (0)1462 471930 Fax: +44 (0)1462 433909

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 3 CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE...

Interview: Les Mills’ CEO Phillip Mills, p32 New dining concepts taking the restaurant sector by storm, p44

Crunch Franchise’s Ben Midgley, p24 Baku’s big ambitions, p40

Leisure Management news 28 architect’s focus 40 big ambitions 6 World Leisure fl etcher priest fuelling growth 8 Hospitality Mareike Langkitsch tells Julie Cramer As the world’s largest oil producer, 10 Commercial about the challenges of turning a Azerbaijan has both wealth and 12 Health and Fitness failing local authority music venue into ambition. Professor Terry Stevens 14 Attractions the Hackney Picturehouse looks at the country’s tourism potential 16 Spa and its 2020 Olympic Bid 17 Public Sector 32 interview 18 Sport phillip mills 44 mixed fl avours 20 Parks The founder of BODYPUMP™ shares From pop up eateries in railway arches his thoughts on group exercise, green to the vegetarian restaurant chain 22 design news issues and why so many health club making the headlines, Julie Cramer MGM’s hotel in China, the £4m Jerwood operators are getting it wrong looks at the latest innovations in the Gallery and Bristol’s new leisure centre restaurant sector 37 customer care 24 hotseat From Queens Park Rangers liaising 48 sporting chance ben midgley with fans to One Leisure installing Almost two years on from the 2010 The president of Crunch Franchise kiosks in its gyms, we take a look FIFA World Cup, Professor Terry speaks to Kate Cracknell about the at operators using the latest CRM Stevens looks at how South Africa is brand’s expansion plans and shares his technology to provide a better capitalising on the event’s success and ideas on the budget gym model customer experience creating a lasting legacy

4 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ISSUE 2 2012

A new sensory centre for Sefton, p52 Hackney Picturehouse, p28

The 2010 FIFA Football World Cup legacy, p48 Stylish design at Hard Candy Moscow. p58

52 sense of achievement 66 low cost fitness READER SERVICES Magali Robathan finds out how one The health and fitness market is seeing Digital magazine mother’s determination saw the a boost, with the rise of low cost gyms Read Leisure Management online creation of a cutting edge sensory play and smaller, neighbourhood clubs. leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital centre in Liverpool Themis Kokolakakis reports News & jobs 54 studying health 68 creating that sporting habit For jobs and news visit the Improving men’s health and tackling Does the new Youth and Community Leisure Management website at childhood obesity are among the aims Sport Strategy go far enough, asks www.leisuremanagement.co.uk of Leeds’ Metropolitan University’s CLOA’s Mark Allman Attention buyers! new Health & Wellbeing Institute. Julie Use our product search engine to find Cramer finds out more 70 senior’s solutions suppliers and get innovation updates Finding ways to operate more www.leisure-kit.net 58 from madonna and russia effectively frees up time to focus on with love... your customers, says Grahame Senior Subscribe: We check out the Hard Candy health Sign up for Leisure Management at club in Moscow, Russia 72 leisure directory leisuremanagement.co.uk/subs or call: +44 (0)1462 471915

62 credit where credit’s due 74 no better time Buyers’ guide: Ian Edwards gives advice on getting Why now could be a good time to build For suppliers of products and services credit to pay for energy use new leisure facilities in the leisure markets, turn to p104

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 5 World leisure news

Gi`mXk\\hl`kp^iflg 9XjbjgXZfeZ\gk]fiEAËjI\m\c G\^XjljYlpjJ`oJ\ej\j US-based private equity group Pegasus Bask, a new spa and wellbeing Capital Advisors has entered into a bind- concept developed by lifestyle ing agreement to acquire the luxury resort brand Exhale, has opened and spa businesses of Six Senses Resorts & at Revel, a new US$2.4bn Spas for an undisclosed sum. (€1.8bn, £1.5bn) resort desti- Under the terms of the deal, Pegasus will nation in Atlantic City, US. acquire all of the Six Senses and Evason- Th e 32,000sq ft (2,973sq m) branded resort and spa management wellness sanctuary concept contracts and related intellectual property has been created exclusively rights and operate them under a new com- for Revel and is among the pany managed by Pegasus and its affi liates. resort facilities currently Details: http://lei.sr?a=0u3L1 being previewed over an eight-week period that begun on 2 April 2012. At the core of the Bask spa Th e 32,000sq ft Bask spa will feature a total of 32 treatment rooms will be a 3,000sq ft (279sq m) co-ed bathhouse in which guests can relax, ISClinical, and Sircuit – which are used across socialise and unwind in the Himalayan salt the brand’s existing spa estate. grotto and hammam. Exhale currently operates spas and well- Bask also has 32 therapy rooms, steam- ness centres in a number of US locations, rooms and a deluge shower, while the fi tness including three in Boston and seven in New centre will host Exhale’s Core Fusion and York. It also has a spa at the Gansevoort yoga classes. Th e spa will use Exhale’s fi ve Turks + Caicos resort in the Caribbean. skincare lines – 302, Actifi rm, Tata Harper, Details: http://lei.sr?a=m0u8m Th e ladies-only club will be spread over 1,160sq m =`ke\jj=`ijkfg\ejÔijk 8kb`ej[\j`^ejFdXeËje\nÊD\[`ZXc:`kpË ZclY`e8Yl;_XY` Fitness First Middle East has opened its Atkins, the UK-based design fi rst health club in Abu Dhabi – a ladies- and engineering consult- only club in Marina Mall. ing fi rm, has completed the Th e new club is spread over 1,160sq m masterplan for a major new and off ers best-in-class cardiovascular and world-class healthcare facil- resistance equipment, in addition to an ity in Oman, The Medical extensive selection of free weights. City (TMC). Audio and visual entertainment is TMC is the largest private available throughout the club. Included healthcare infrastructure in the membership, group exercise development in the coun- timetables encompass all the class off er- try and is fronted by Apex ings from Les Mills, as well as Zumba. Medical Group, with the com- Details: http://lei.sr?a=M9v8E plex to occupy an 800,000sq m (8.6 million sq ft ) site by the Arabian Sea. Facilities at Medical City will include a 375-bedroom hotel and spa J\Zfe[C8ZclY]fi:ileZ_ Facilities will include a 375-bedroom hotel and a spa, although fur- hotel is to be positioned at the high end of the Crunch Fitness will open its latest location ther specifi cations are yet to be confi rmed. It market. TMC will be centred around a hospi- in the heart of Burbank, California, US, in is expected, however, that the hotel will incor- tal, while other healthcare facilities will include April – its second club in the LA area. Th e porate swimming pools and a gym as part of training and education areas for medical staff , 2,415sq m facility will off er top of the range its off er. Th e spa will be open to the public, in a wellbeing centre and residential accommo- CV and strength equipment, a dedicated addition to its use for medical purposes, and the dation. Details: http://lei.sr?a=e7q2c personal training area, an online fi tness and nutrition programme, Kids’ Crunch, a sauna and locker rooms. EXk`feXcjkX[`ldfg\ej`e9X_XdXj Hundreds of weekly classes will be offered in the large group fitness stu- A special ceremony has helped celebrate US$30m (£18.8m, €22.5m) and is a gift to the dio and indoor cycling studio, including the official launch of the new Thomas A country from the Chinese government. Anti Gravity Yoga, Pole Dancing, The Robinson National Stadium at the new-look It is hoped the development will become Ride and LaBlast, which is taught by Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre in Nassau, the the Caribbean region’s foremost sports venue, celebrity instructor Louis Van Amstel. Bahamas. Th e 15,000-seat stadium has been while also helping to establish the Bahamas as Details: http://lei.sr?a=V6j2Q built over a two-year period at a cost of around an international sports tourism destination.

6 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 World leisure news

J\Zfe[j`k\]fiÊn`e\jgXËfg\iXkfi )'(*cXleZ_]fiÔijkM`i^`e$ YiXe[\[_fk\c`e:_`ZX^f Austria-based Loisium Virgin Hotels is expected to open its fi rst Wine & Spa Resorts is set property by the end of 2013 in Chicago, US, to open its second spa hotel aft er it completed the acquisition of the in Ehrenhausen, Southern downtown Old Dearborn Bank Building in Styria, Austria in June 2012. late 2011. Th e 27-storey former offi ce com- The 105-bedroom hotel plex will be converted by Virgin Hotels into will include a Wine Spa, two a 250-bedroom hotel, which will comprise wine-themed restaurants and a spa spanning between 4,000 and 5,000sq a wine bar. The 1,400sq m ft (372 and 465sq m). (15,000sq ft ) spa will have eight Further details about the spa are yet treatment cabins – includ- to be revealed, although the hotel is also ing two couples’ suites – a set to include restaurants and other areas relaxation area, a sauna area refl ecting the Virgin brand. with fi ve saunas, heated out-

door pool with experience Th e Loisium hotel has been designed by renowned architect Steven Holl Image: C. F. Møller I Berg Arkitektkontor showers and a fitness zone with a yoga studio. Th e fi rst Loisium hotel opened in Langenlois, Th ere will also be a reception and consulta- Austria, and the company already has plans for tion area, a spa retail space and a spa bar with a third site in Alsace, France. an open fi replace and ‘living room’. The Alsace hotel, scheduled to open Each Loisium property will be marketed in 2014, will include 96 bedrooms and as a four-star superior wine hotel. Th e iconic a 1,300sq m (14,000sq ft) spa with 10 buildings have been designed by celebrated treatment cabins and an outdoor pool. US architect Steven Holl. Details: http://lei.sr?a=N4l9P Th e original Potter park has been a huge success :XikffeE\knfibkffg\eYiXe[\[XkkiXZk`fej`e8j`X ?Xiip^f\jkf?fccpnff[1 j\Zfe[Gfkk\igXibgcXee\[ Cartoon Network Enterprises, part of the Turner company’s cartoon portfolio – including Ben Entertainment group, is to open more branded 10 and Th e Powerpuff Girls. Warner Bros Entertainment and Universal visitor attractions across Asia Pacifi c. Th e news comes as Cartoon Network Asia Parks and Resorts (UPR) have announced Th e attractions will include family enter- Pacifi c acquired rights to Chaplin and Co. – plans to develop a new Harry Potter- tainment centres, themed zones and learning an animated series created by India-based DQ themed adventure park at Universal Studios spaces and will feature characters from the Entertainment and Method Animation. Hollywood, California, US. It follows the success of the inaugural Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which launched at the Universal Orlando Resort LJ(%*Yek_\d\gXibgcXee\[]fi?lY\` in June 2010 and is now set for a “signifi - cant” expansion. Th e two companies said Los Angeles, US-based Ikonic the new California attraction will be a fully- Entertainment Group has immersive environment which will bring secured a deal with invest- the Harry Potter stories to life. ment company Taichi Lake Group to design and develop a Tai Chi and Kung Fu-themed F\kb\i:fcc\Zk`fekffg\e visitor attraction complex in GXcX`jEXdXjbXi Hubei, China. Ikonic will provide master Th e Oetker Collection has expanded its planning, concept creation, African portfolio with the launch of the schematic design and con- new Palais Namaskar Hotel and Spa in struction services for the Marrakech, Morocco. Built to follow the US$3.1bn (2.4bn euro, £2bn) Th e visitor attraction is due to open in 2015 principles of Feng Shui, the hotel is nestled project, which is touted as the amid 50,000sq m (538,196sq ft ) of scented largest theme park ever to open in China. subcontractors and service providers over the Balinese-inspired gardens that are comple- The attraction, due to open in 2015, will next three years. Th e agreement will feature mented by waterfalls and lakes. include a Taichi Kung Fu theme park and a Ikonic as the master designer and project Facilities at the hotel include the 650sq large theatre for live shows. manager for series of projects commissioned m (6,997sq ft ) Le Spa Namaskar, which It is estimated that the agreement reached by Taichi Lake Group. Th ese include a Kung includes four individual treatment cabins between Ikonic and Taichi Lake Group will Fu-oriented theme park at Wudang Mountain, with outdoor terraces and two double cab- generate several hundred jobs – as well as Hubei Province, China and an amusement ins with private hammams. revenue – for numerous Los Angeles-based park in Qingzhou, China.

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 7 Hospitality news

ÊI\Zfi[fZZlgXeZpË]fi Cfe[fe_fk\cj`e)'() J\Zkfij\k]fiafYZi\Xk`fe PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has More than half (55 per cent) revealed the preliminary fi ndings of its UK of leisure and hospitality busi- Hotels Forecast for 2012 and 2013. nesses are planning to create In its report, PwC predicts that the new job opportunities dur- London 2012 Games will make for a record ing 2012, according to new year in the capital as hotels will achieve an research by Barclays. average RevPAR growth of 2.8 per cent. Th e Barclays Job Creation Hotels should also see a positive impact Survey 2012 also found the on occupancy of almost 1.2 per cent in sector was “more receptive” to London and 0.9 per cent outside the capi- taking on former public sec- tal – taking total occupancy to 84 per cent tor employees compared with in London and 72 per cent in the regions. other UK industries. Barclays surveyed 670 exec- utives from UK businesses of all sizes and across a number of different sectors on atti- A majority of hospitality companies are looking to increase staff levels tudes towards job creation, as well as economic confi dence. opportunities against the anticipated number The research showed 89 per cent of of job losses in the public sector. leisure businesses believe government initia- Barclays head of hospitality Mike Saul said: tives to create job opportunities have failed to “As an industry with many SMEs, it is good to achieve much to date. see smaller companies, in particular, more con- Meanwhile, two-thirds of businesses believe fi dent about creating new positions than they there will also be a shortfall of private sector were last year.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=r2S1k An artist’s impression of the new Center Parcs NfibkfY\^`efeÔ]k_ Clolip_fk\ckffg\e`eKi`e`kpJhlXi\ :\ek\iGXiZjj`k\ Holiday park operator Center Parcs is set to Singapore-based developer begin work on the company’s fi ft h park in KOP Properties has received Woburn, Bedfordshire, UK aft er it secured the green light to convert the funding for the project. 10 Trinity Square building in Blackstone, Center Parcs’ owner, will central London into a new invest £100m into the venture while four UK luxury development. banks – RBS, Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds Work will start on trans- Banking Group – have committed to a con- forming the Grade II*-listed struction loan of approximately £150m. Th e property in Q3 this year, with £250m project is set to be completed in time the Woods Bagot-designed for the park to receive guests by May 2014. project also involving China’s Center Parcs Woburn Forest will comprise Reignwood Group. 625 forest lodges, a 75-bedroom hotel and A 120-bedroom hotel, a an Aqua Sana-branded spa. spa, a members’ club, 41 ser- Th e historic Trinity Square building will be transformed into a hotel viced residences, a restaurant and two bars are planned as part of the devel- David Collins Studio is consulting on design @e[\g\e[\ek[\i\^lcXk`fe opment, which is expected to be completed of the hotel’s public areas, bar and members’ jkl[pglYc`j_\[ in the last quarter of 2014. club at the building, which fi rst opened as the Details of the spa are yet to be announced, Port of London Authority’s HQ in 1922. An independent report commissioned by although it has been confirmed that LTW KOP’s CEO Leny Suparman said: “Our vision the government has outlined recommen- Designworks will be responsible for its design. is for 10 Trinity Square to become a global des- dations for “widespread deregulation” in KOP Hotels and Resorts will run the hotel. tination.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=B4m9t a number of areas across the tourism and hospitality sectors. British Hospitality Association (BHA) chair Alan Parker CXliX8j_c\pgcXejkfcXleZ_e\nYflk`hl\_fk\c led a taskforce responsible for the Smart Regulation and Economic Growth – Seizing Laura Ashley has announced plans to open in Hertfordshire last November for £5.8m in the Tourism Opportunity study. a new boutique hotel as a showcase for the an expansion of its marketing strategy. Other issues covered by the research UK-based fashion and homeware brand’s Further details about the composition and include health and safety regulations, products and design services. facility mix of Laura Ashley’s new boutique employment law, sale of travel insurance, In its results for the 52 weeks to 28 January, hotel are yet to be announced. and a shake-up of the Licensing Act. the company confi rmed it had acquired a hotel Details: http://lei.sr?a=h5u8U

8 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 PLAYING MUSIC IN YOUR BAR OR RESTAURANT? MAKE SURE YOU’RE LICENSED.

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A PPL licence can cost your business as little as 19p per day,† for more information on how to obtain your PPL licence visit ppluk.com or call 020 7534 1095.

Copyright protects music in different ways and businesses will often require music licences from both PPL and a separate organisation called PRS for Music. PPL collects and distributes licence fees for the use of recorded music on behalf of record companies and performers, whereas PRS for Music collects and distributes fees for the use of musical compositions and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers. For more information on PRS for Music, visit prsformusic.com.

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*MusicWorks survey of 2000 people, conducted March 2009. † If you play recorded music in your business without obtaining a PPL music licence you could incur a 50% surcharge on your PPL licensing fee. Commercial news

:`e\nfic[kfZfdgc\k\ [`^`kXcifccflk 8jg\ijj\Zli\jDBZXj`ef[\Xc Cineworld Group is to complete its digital A new casino to be devel- roll-out across the UK and Ireland by the oped in Milton Keynes will be end of the summer 2012, with more than operated by Aspers aft er the 75 per cent of its estate currently using group was announced as the digital projectors. successful applicant by Milton Th e news comes as the group revealed Keynes Council (MKC).

it had become the number one cinema The award means that image: juan camilo bernal/shutterstock.com image: 18percentgrey/shutterstock operator in 2011, with revenues and pre- Aspers can now apply for a tax profi ts increasing by 1.5 per cent and 9.9 large casino licence, with the per cent respectively. Admissions across the proposed venue to deliver a Cineworld estate were up 2.3 per cent when £10m investment within the compared with 2010 to 48.3m, while box existing Xscape complex. offi ce sales grew by 2.7 per cent to £242m. Gaming tables and Details: http://lei.sr?a=L7X8H machines will form part of the casino, along with entertain- ment, dining and bars. MKC will receive at least £500,000 Aspers held off competition from two other bidders for the MK site per year for the entire lifespan of the facility. Th e council’s licensing sub-com- leisure facility for Milton Keynes, but numer- mittee resolved to grant Aspers the provisional ous associated facilities and benefi ts for the statement aft er the group’s bid was judged to local community,” said a council spokesperson. off er the “best all round package”. “Th is outcome has been the result of two years’ “It will provide not only a new, completely work by a small team of council offi cers and diff erent, yet responsibly managed, kind of advisers.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=w9b5x

Rank Group owns and operates Mecca Bingo IXeb\e[j>XcX:fiXc F=K1>iflgfeÊefkZfdgcp`e^Ën`k_LBcXn ZXj`efkXcbj Daily discount voucher com- Rank Group, the owner of the Grosvenor pany Groupon has been found Casinos and Mecca Bingo brands, has to be breaking UK consumer terminated discussions over the possible rules and has been given acquisition of Gala Coral Group’s casino three months to change and arm. Earlier this year, Rank announced it improve its practices. had entered into talks over the purchase of Th e Offi ce of Fair Trading Gala Coral’s 24 Gala Casinos across the UK (OFT) found “widespread in a deal worth around £250m. examples” where Groupon However, Rank said that it had ended was seen to breach consumer discussions “aft er it became clear that the protection regulations. proposed terms of the acquisition would Announcing the fi ndings not serve the best interest of Rank’s share- of its investigation on 16 Th e OFT made a series of recommendations to Groupon in its fi ndings holders”. Details: http://lei.sr?a=D4D9O March, the OFT said that it has specifi c concerns over practices involv- Groupon responded to the news with a ing reference pricing, advertising, refunds, lengthy statement on the company blog, admit- Af_eG\eifj\flkc`e\j unfair terms, and the diligence of its inter- ting the breaches and apologising to customers Y\e\Ôkjf]Kfk\jXc\ actions with merchants. A July deadline has who had “experienced the negative side eff ects” now been imposed by the OFT for Groupon to of the company’s growth. Th e statement also A charity and a grant scheme are to be changes its practices to comply with UK law. lists each OFT point of concern and how established in order to distribute the £90m OFT has not yet ruled out the possibility of Groupon plans to rectify the issues. allocated to the racing industry following legal action against Groupon. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=a1g3D last year’s sale of the Horserace Totalisator Board (Tote). John Penrose, minister with responsibility for horseracing, has >fXcjJfZZ\i:\eki\j`e:XeX[`XekXb\fm\iY`[ announced plans which he said are “mak- ing good” on a pledge made with regards Goals Soccer Centres, the fi ve-a-side football from the pension fund but could not confi rm to proceeds from the £265m deal. facility operator, has revealed that it is the sub- an off er would be submitted. Th e charity – Th e Racing Foundation – ject of a takeover approach from Canada-based Th e announcement comes just over a month will support good causes, while the grant Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. aft er Goals Soccer Centres reported a “year of scheme aims to benefi t State Aid-compliant In response to media speculation, the group progress and change” in 2011. projects. Details: http://lei.sr?a=f5u2k said it had received a preliminary approach Details: http://lei.sr?a=U2m0y

10 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Kids getting under your feet? Half Price family cinema tickets all half term! Jason, The Roxy R O X Y

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Also trusted by Health & Fitness news

?Xc]f]9i`kjle_Xggpn`k_ nfibc`]\YXcXeZ\ ?`^_\Xie\ijÊ\o\iZ`j\dfi\Ë Nearly half of adults aged 16 and over are Research by Nuffi eld Health currently unhappy with their work life bal- has found that, on average, ance, according to the latest fi ndings from higher earners work out at the Offi ce for National Statistics’ Measuring gyms three times more than National Wellbeing programme. those on lower incomes.

Th ose that use leisure time to engage in Th e group surveyed 1,600 image: zhu difeng/shutterstock physical activities appear to be happier than people as part of its study, those who prefer sedentary pursuits – such which shows those earning as watching TV or playing video games. less than £20,000 work out for Th e latest fi gures show that in 2010-11, around one hour a week. Th ose 54.1 per cent of adults in England had par- who earn £101,000 or more ticipated in some type of physical activity. exercise for three hours. Details: http://lei.sr?a=p9h7s According to the fi ndings of the report, earners between £21,000-30,000 work out for 1.5 hours; £31,000-50,000 Nuffi eld’s study found those earning £101,000+ exercise for three hours work out for 2.1 hours; and £71,000-100,000 exercise for 2.6 hours. and healthy can benefi t your performance at However, the figures show a dip in the work, which may in turn impress the boss. number of hours of exercise in a gym for indi- “By doing regular exercise you help man- viduals earning between £51,000-70,000 to 1.8 age work-related pressures and help put in a hours on average, bucking the overall trend. better performance by better preparing your Nuffi eld Health head of physiology Chris body for times of stress.” Jones said: “Evidence tells us that keeping fi t Details: http://lei.sr?a=B0w0N

S&P Architects worked on the new venue’s design NfibjkXikjfee\n™*(d C8=`ke\jjlem\`cje\nd\dY\igc\[^\ I\[ZXic\`jli\Zfdgc\o LA Fitness has launched a new Olympic swimmer Chris Cook has helped Member Pledge scheme as mark the offi cial start of construction work part of its strategy to improve on a new £31m leisure, business support customer service and member and community facility in Redcar. experience at its 79 UK sites. Willmott Dixon has been appointed to Th e launch of the Member build the complex, which has been designed Pledge includes a new website by leisure specialists S&P Architects in col- outlining its policy on every- laboration with Plus Th ree Architecture. thing from security to fl exible A fi tness suite and a junior gym will be membership contracts and among the facilities at the venue, along with what to do if personal cir- a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a training cumstances change. pool, a learning pool and a sports hall. In a statement, LA Fitness Details: http://lei.sr?a=R0l8J said that it recognised that the fi tness industry has “not always had the best reputation Long said the pledge “sums up” the chain’s progress in the last two years LBdfm\]fiJn\[`j_ for customer service”, but that it was determined to underline the work it has have made over the past two years to improve n\`^_k$cfjj]iXeZ_`j\ carried out behind the scenes in order to cre- our service standards – not just in the fi rst few Xtravaganza, a franchise based on a weight- ate a better member experience. days of your membership, but throughout a loss programme established in Sweden LA Fitness chief executive Martin Long said: member’s fi tness journey with us. more than 10 years ago, is to make its fi rst “Th is Member Pledge sums up the progress we Read more: http://lei.sr?a=t8X3s move into the UK fi tness industry. With more than 180 venues, it is one of fastest growing Scandinavian businesses Gli\>pdkffg\ee\nN\jkD`[cXe[jcfZXk`fej and will now be rolled out in South Wales, Gloucestershire, Hereford and Worcester. Low-cost health club chain Pure Gym has LIVESTRONG spin bikes by Matrix; vibrating Th e programme is based on four main announced plans to open new locations in Bodycore platforms; and Power Plates. principles to help people lose weight, West Bromwich (31 May) and Walsall (19 June) Th e 22,500sq ft (2,090sq m) West Bromwich including neuro-linguistic programming as part of its UK ongoing expansion strategy. club and the 14,000sq ft (1,301sq m) Walsall (NLP)-based mind training. Both of the new Midlands locations will facility will off er 40 fi tness classes per week. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=G8f6k contain 220 pieces of equipment, including the Read more: http://lei.sr?a=P8n9r

12 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 We know sports and leisure.

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C`eZfce:Xjkc\`ec`e\]fi ™-d]fiJZ`\eZ\Dlj\ldgifa\Zk ™)'di\[\m\cfgd\ek Lincoln Castle is to undergo a multi-mil- London’s Science Museum lion pound renovation aft er Lincolnshire has secured £6m from the County Council confi rmed it had received Heritage Lottery Fund towards Lottery funding towards the scheme. the creation of a new gallery Th e project is expected to cost £19.9m exploring the history of com- and has been awarded a £12m grant by the munications technology. Heritage Lottery Fund. European Union Th e new Making Modern support is also being sought in addition to Communications project the Lottery support and council funding. will see the museum exhibit A new vault to showcase Magna Carta “unique objects” combined and the Charter of the Forest is included with human stories in order to among the plans for the redevelopment. chart the 200-year evolution Read more: http://lei.sr?a=H7F5P of modern communication. Th e gallery will showcase prominent moments where technology helped change the Th e new gallery will look at innovations in communications technology world, such as the laying of the fi rst telegraph cable across the Atlantic. change for the Science Museum and the fi rst Around 1,000 objects will be put on display step in the delivery of its Master Plan. in the new gallery, including a 6m (20ft ) tuning “The award of the grant underlines the

image: luke hayes coil from Rugby Radio Station, which formed essential role of the Science Museum in helping part of the UK’s Cold War defences. to inspire engagement, particularly amongst Science Museum Group director Ian young people.” Blatchford said: “Th e project represents a step Details: http://lei.sr?a=f9q4S

Wilkinson Eyre Architects designed the museum Fcpdg`Zifn\ifg\eje\n )'(($D\ic`eËjÊdfjk\oZ`k`e^p\XiËkf[Xk\ ™(,dJ\X:`kpDlj\ld Visitor attractions opera- Double Olympic rowing gold medallist tor Merlin Entertainments James Cracknell has offi cially launched the invested a total of £174m in its £15m SeaCity Museum as part of the new portfolio of attractions dur- Cultural Quarter in Southampton. ing 2011 – a year described as Th e attraction – housed within the city’s the “most exciting in com- Grade II*-listed former Magistrates’ Court pany history” by CEO Nick – has been designed by Wilkinson Eyre Varney. Nearly £100m of the Architects and built by Kier Southern. company’s total investment SeaCity Museum comprises two perma- was spent on new develop- nent galleries examining the city’s status as ments, which included the a ‘Gateway to the World’ and its maritime launch of Merlin’s largest ever heritage over the last 2,000 years. new attraction – Legoland Details: http://lei.sr?a=C1z6x Florida in the US. Th e year included the opening of a Legoland park in Orlando, Florida Th e year also marked the first operations in Australia following the 46.4m – an increase of 13.2 per cent on 2010. EXk`feXcKiljkZfdgc\k\j acquisition of the Sydney Attractions Group Nick Varney said: “Last year was the ™0dJkfn\kiXej]fidXk`fe and the announcement of plans to take over most exciting in the history of Merlin Living and Leisure Australia. Entertainments as we delivered a further step- A £9m transformation of the gateway to a Reporting its full-year fi gures for the 12 change in the performance of the business, 250-acre (101-hectare) landscape garden in months to 25 December 2011, Merlin said the while signifi cantly extending our international Buckinghamshire – one of the UK’s earliest number of visitors to its attractions reached profi le...We will continue to invest for growth.” attractions – has been completed. Work has been carried out to revitalise the New Inn, the original purpose-built Cflmi\`jnfic[Ëjdfjkm`j`k\[Xikdlj\ld entrance for visitors to Stowe fi rst built by Lord Cobham nearly 200 years ago. New research has found that the Louvre, one top spot with nearly 3 million more visitors Th e National Trust has restored it over of the most iconic attractions in Paris, France, than the second most visited art attraction a two-year period to create a new visitor was the world’s most visited art museum last – New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art centre, which now off ers an experience of year aft er it welcomed 8.9 million people. (6 million). Th e British Museum, National 18th century life at the site. According to a study undertaken by Th e Gallery and Tate Modern – all in London – Details: http://lei.sr?a=J6L3X Art Newspaper, the Louvre easily claimed the completed the top fi ve.

14 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 UNLOCK STAFF POTENTIAL TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

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™(,d:_\j_`i\jgXi\jfik jZ_\d\Zfdgc\k\[ CXe[[\Xc]fi9lokfe:i\jZ\ek A new 81-bedroom hotel has opened at the Th e development of the UK’s independently-owned Mere Golf Resort “first genuine spa hotel” and Spa near Knutsford, Cheshire, to mark for more than 100 years in the completion of a £15m redevelopment. Derbyshire, has taken a step Mather and Co worked on three parts of forward following the signing the scheme, which has included the interior of a landmark agreement. design of the new hotel – an extension to High Peak Borough the resort’s original golf club building. Council and Derbyshire The consultancy carried out interior County Council, the land- design work on a 1,253 sq m (13,487sq ft ) owners, have confi rmed that health club and day spa, which opened an “historic” deal with the early last year and includes seven treat- Buxton Crescent Hotel and ment rooms and a hammam. Th ermal Spa Company for the A thermal zone with sauna and steam- scheme has been secured. room, a salt room and a caldarium Th e £35m Buxton Crescent Roman-style hot room also feature at the project includes a restoration A natural thermal mineral water spa is at the centre of the £35m project spa, which uses Carita and Aromatherapy of the Grade I-listed Crescent Associates products. building and the Grade II-listed Natural Baths Th e spa will comprise a dry treatment area The health club and spa facilities are and Pump Room. It is hoped work will start on with six massage rooms; a manicure and ped- located within a former stable block and the fi rst of two construction phases in June. icure area; and an exercise studio. Meanwhile, courtyard at the property, and comprise A 79-bedroom spa hotel incorporating the hydrotherapy wet treatment areas will incor- the fi rst phase of the project. Th e hotel also Natural Baths is at the centre of the plans, in porate four thermal mineral baths and an houses an indoor pool and gym. addition to a 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft ) natural underwater jet massage. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=S2T0M thermal mineral water spa. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=Y2X3a

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A new 750sq m (8,000sq ft ) luxury day spa has opened at the Archerfi eld Links golf course near Edinburgh. The spa comprises seven treatment rooms – including a double treatment room and Serenity Spa includes an ozone cleansed pool a salt brick inhalation room – as well as a large relaxation J\Xjfej?fc`[XpjXZhl`i\j lounge with a wood burning J\X_Xd?Xcc_fk\c oven and a walled garden, which has two seaweed bath- Bristol-based Seasons Holidays has pur- ing houses acting as additional chased Seaham Hall, a luxury hotel and treatment areas. Nola 7 has designed and supplied the new day spa at Archerfi eld Links spa in County Durham, out of the admin- Other facilities at the spa, istration of von Essen Hotels 2 Ltd. which have been designed and supplied by According to Kirsty Brown, marketing man- Th e 20-bedroom hotel is sited amid 37 Nola 7, include a marine salt steam room, ager at Archerfi eld, the spa will be marketed acres (15 hectares) of woodland, and facili- herbal aroma sauna, a mud cure room, an for both members of the golf club as well as ties include the Feng Shui-inspired Serenity ice fountain and contrast adventure showers. guests staying in the accommodation. Spa. Teak, granite and limestone have been Th e treatments on off er have been supplied Brown said: “Adding to our accommodation, used in the oriental-infl uenced design of the by Voya, Aromatherapy Associates, Spiezia, we’ve even more for non-golfers with golfi ng spa, which comprises 19 treatment rooms, and Margaret Dabbs. partners.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=u9n3v an ozone cleansed pool and hammam. A sanarium with crystal light therapy, a sauna with quartz crystal, a black granite :_\nkfe>c\ejgX_fk\ckflem\`cki\\kfgjl`k\j steamroom, a hydrotherapy bath with 12 massage stations and an ice fountain also Chewton Glen spa hotel in the New Forest, and Blue Forest with the interiors being cre- form part of the spa at Seaham Hall. Hampshire, is set to open its new Tree House ated by designer Martin Hulbert. Barry Donaghey of Seasons Holidays, Suites this summer. Guests staying at the suites will be off ered said: “We will ensure the hotel continues Located above the tree tops, 200 metres from a bespoke range of in-room treatments by to be one of the top destinations at in the the main hotel, the secluded suites have been Chewton Glen’s spa partner ila-spa. region.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=t8E2f designed in partnership by Terence O’Rourke Details: http://lei.sr?a=l3f4R

16 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Public sector news

I\[kXg\ZfejlckXk`fe D8cXleZ_\jj\Zfe[ÊZlkjjkl[pË ]fijgfikjXe[_\i`kX^\ Sports, heritage and gaming industry The Museums Association stakeholders are to have the opportunity (MA) has announced the to “name and shame” regulations that they launch of its second survey to believe are holding back growth in a new examine the impact of gov- government consultation. ernment and local authority A website has been established to allow cuts on museum services stakeholders to comment on regulations, across the UK. such as rules governing gambling prem- According to the organi- ises, and whether they are an example of sation, the latest study will excessive red tape. Regulations identifi ed as allow for year-on-year com- “unnecessary” by respondents will then have parisons to be made with to be justifi ed by the ministers responsible. last year’s fi ndings, and will If no justifi cation is made, the rules will be provide an insight into the scrapped. Details: http://lei.sr?a=0L1F6 impact of budget cuts. In 2011, more than half of Th e study looks to assess the impact of the government’s funding cuts the museums that participated in the research (53 per cent) saw a reduction to look forward over the coming year to see in funding, with 20 per cent reporting a cut how the industry is changing and what plans of at least 25 per cent. are being made to account for the cuts. The research also showed “considerable “Th e more museums complete the survey, uncertainty” over the future of the UK sec- the stronger the case the MA will be able tor and 66 per cent expected a decline in the to make,” said MA head of policy Maurice quality of service they off ered as a result. MA Davies. Th e deadline for responses is 30 April. said this year’s survey will also ask museums Details: http://lei.sr?a=Q3p5p A total of £62m will be invested in three years 8:<ZfeÔidjÔeXc`j\[ Jn`e[fec\`jli\_lYm`j`fedfm\j]finXi[ I\eX`jjXeZ\XnXi[j Arts Council England (ACE) has Swindon Borough Council and announced details of the fi nal awards to Moirai Capital Investments its Renaissance major partner museums, have moved forward with which will see more than £62m invested plans for the development of over the coming three years. the Wiltshire town’s new £65m Earlier this year, the organisation regional leisure hub. named the 16 successful applicants that Leases have now been are to receive support between 2012-13 and agreed for the project, which 2014-15 under the new-look Renaissance will see Oasis Leisure Centre programme. ACE admitted the amount to transferred to a private be invested was slightly higher than an ini- operator on 1 June before tial budget of around £60m but said it would it undergoes an extensive fi nance the “ambition and range of work” in refurbishment. the bids. Details: http://lei.sr?a=J8I5j An indoor ski slope, an indoor arena and a water- park will also form part of Facilities at the centre will include an indoor ski slope and water park >i\\ec`^_k]fi;\iYpXi\eX the planned new hub, with [\m\cfgd\ek leisure specialists S&P Architects working the former Clares site. Th e agreement requires on the design of the scheme. A collaborative a planning masterplan for the former Clares Derby City Council (DCC) has approved agreement between SBC and Moirai Capital site to be lodged within two years. Detailed planning permission for the develop- Investments includes long-term leases to four proposals will then be submitted for each indi- ment of a new multi-million pound sites, which include Oasis Leisure Centre and vidual stage. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Q2w3l sports and entertainment arena near the city’s Pride Park Stadium. Th e 14,500sq m (156,077sq ft ) venue has been designed by ;:DJj\\bje\n8ikj:fleZ`c

ISSUE 1 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 17 Sports news

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18 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 PHOTO: ©YVAN ZEDDA ©YVAN PHOTO:

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™+%,djZ_\d\]fi >XccfnXp=fi\jkGXib >i\\ejgXZ\jkf_\cgi\Zfm\ip A new visitor complex at Kirroughtree Th e Forestry Commission has and a major refi t of Clatteringshaws are to published new guidance to form part of a major £4.5m investment at outline the “positive role” that Scotland’s Galloway Forest Park. well-designed green spaces Th e proposals, which have been drawn and parklands can play in the up by Forestry Commission Scotland recovery of patients from ill- (FCS), form part of a wider strategy to ness and injury. enhance the park’s visitor experience and Greenspace Design for to double tourist expenditure across the Health and Wellbeing provides local economy by 2015. FCS is part of the advice on how the design of Scottish Government’s Environment and green spaces around hospitals Forestry Directorate and is responsible for and other wellness facilities the management of the country’s national can help supplement clinical forest estate. Details: http://lei.sr?a=I9s7Y care for patients. It is expected that the new practice guide will be of interest to health practi- tioners, planners and policy Th e new guidance outlines how green spaces can be used in recovery makers within the NHS and other sectors that are involved in patient care. “Now a raft of research fi ndings in recent Forestry Commission chair Pam Warhurst years have confi rmed that this experience is said: “We’ve all long known that we feel bet- not just a vague impression, it represents a ter aft er spending time outdoors and in green range of very real mental and physical health An artist’s impression of the new visitor centre spaces such as parks and woodland. benefi ts.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=L6M7g JZfkk`j_J\XY`i[:\eki\ gcXej\ogXej`fe :_`c[i\eÊcfj`e^Zfee\Zk`feËn`k_eXkli\ Th e Scottish Seabird Centre (SSC) near Edinburgh has announced its plans to A report claims to have found expand and enhance its visitor experi- “overwhelming” evidence of ence under the working project title of the a long-term and dramatic National Marine Centre. decline in children’s relation- Simpson and Brown, the original ship with the outdoors. architects of the SSC, have designed the Produced by naturalist, proposals for the new-look building. author and TV producer Additional space will also help the centre Stephen Moss, Natural develop its education work. SSC currently Childhood has combined off ers the Discovery Centre, which gives years of academic research visitors the chance to view seabirds using and surveys on the subject live interactive cameras, the Environment and highlights how a genera- Zone and the Migration Flyaway experi- tion of children is losing touch ence. Details: http://lei.sr?a=d4H0Y with the natural world. Th ere has been a radical reduction in the ‘roaming radius’ of children Th e report found that fewer than 10 per cent of children play in wild places; teenage years is crucial – kids familiar with ;\]iXZfeÔidje\n

20 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Gerflor’s Fast Track Sports Hall Flooring Refurbishment Solutions that don’t cost the earth!

n the days of austerity, indoor sports floors that have ‘seen See How the New Taraflex™ Eco-Fit system better days’ don’t always have to be uplifted and replaced. compares to a traditional refurbishment You can save money, down time and environmental impact by leaving the old floor in place and over laying it. ITEM TRADITIONAL NEW TARAFLEX™ TARAFLEX (based on 594SqM) SPORTS FLOOR ECO-FIT METHOD PAYMENT PLAN* IGerflor, a leading manufacturer of Taraflex™ Sports Floors, have recently launched a number of product solutions that can UPLIFT OLD FLOOR £ 3, 975 £0 Total Cost of Project be installed directly over the old sports surface. This can save DISPOSAL OF WASTE £ 2, 380 £0 £24, 982 a small fortune in costs and can be quickly installed minimising PREPARATION OF SUB FLOOR £ 3, 524 £0 Deposit £5,000 facility down time. INSTALL NEW SPORTS FLOOR £ 28, 153 £ 22, 692 LINE MARKING (8 Game Lines) £ 2, 290 £ 2, 290 Monthly A RECENT SUCCESS: GILLINGHAM LEISURE CENTRE PROJECT TOTAL £ 40, 322 £ 24, 982 Payments £347 During the recent facility refurbishment it was decided that the PROJECT TIME 10 days 4 days Term – 60 Months sports floor was in need of replacement. Gerflor delivered a specification and a solution that made a huge difference to POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF UP TO 40%! the local community. The new floor was installed on top of an existing Granwood floor in only 3 days! John Havill, Chairman of Three Rivers Partnership comments: “To think how bad the floor looked before and how it looks now is quite remarkable. Gerflor assisted in the project management of the scheme hugely and the sports hall floor refurbishment came in on time and on budget”. John Havill also added “Our customers love it, in particular the badminton club, some even hinting this is the best sports Previous Now hall they have ever played in”.

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ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 21 NEWS Design news

From a Chinese hotel to a leisure centre in Bristol, we take a look at what’s new

Project MGM Grand Design WATG Location Sanya, China

MGM opens new hotel in China The 675-room MGM Grand has opened in Sanya, China, on the site of the old Gloria Hotel. WATG were given a brief to renovate and expand the Gloria Hotel using contemporary design. A new eight storey tower was added, featuring a glass atrium and sculptural lobby. The MGM Grand features a spa, five restaurants, a con- ference centre, ballroom and entertainment areas. Its opening is part of a strategic plan by MGM to pursue non gaming opportunities around the world. An eight storey tower has been added to the existing hotel

The centre features a single storey extension The existing building will become an educational hub

Project Lochgelly Centre Project Kimball Art Center Design Wellwood Leslie Architects Design BIG Location Fife, Scotland Location Utah, US

£2.5m multi-purpose facility unveiled in Fife BIG wins Kimball Art Center competition A new multi-purpose arts and sports facility in Lochgelly, Danish architectural practice BIG has won the competition Scotland, has been unveiled by Fife Council and ON at Fife to expand the Kimball Art Center in Park City, Utah, US. following the completion of a £2.5m transformation. The Kimball Art Center is a non-profit community centre Lochgelly Centre incorporates a 415-seat theatre, a studio, for the visual arts, which is home to Sundance House dur- a sports hall, art rooms and a visual arts exhibition space. ing the annual Sundance Film Festival. A team managed by Fife Council’s Property Services BIG’s designs for the new centre show an 80ft building undertook the project, with Wellwood Leslie Architects, with a twisting façade, enclosing a spiral staircase leading David Adamson Surveyors, Grontmij, McGregor McMahon to a large roof terrace. It also features a restaurant and a and Wilkinson and Lowe all involved. sculpture garden. Worked is due for completion in mid-2015.

22 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Project Maidstone Museum Design Hugh Broughton Architects Location Maidstone, UK

Maidstone Museum unveils new East Wing Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery reopened following an exten- sive £3m refurbishment and the addition of a new East Wing by Hugh Broughton Architects. The museum houses a collection of more than 600,000 artefacts and specimens which help tell the story of Maidstone and its people. The new East Wing mixes contem- porary design with sensitivity for the Grade II* listed building’s historic fabric – part of which dates from 1561. Key features include a new entrance facing the high street and elevations that com- bine frameless glazing with handcrafted copper alloy shingles, creating a con- The new wing features eye-catching gold copper shingles trast to the existing brick façades.

Both the main pool and teaching pools have moveable floors The gallery’s café provides views of the sea PHOTO ©BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL PHOTO ©IOANA MARINESCU

Project Hengrove Park Leisure Centre Project Jerwood Gallery Design LA Architects Design HAT Projects Location Bristol, UK Location Hastings, UK

Hengrove Park opens in Bristol £4m gallery opens in Hastings The £32m Hengrove Park Leisure Centre has opened as A £4m art gallery housing the Jerwood Foundation’s collec- part of the regeneration of Bristol’s Hengrove Park area. tion of 20th and 21st century works has opened in Hastings. The project is a consortium between Bristol City Council, The development of the Jerwood Gallery – designed by Parkwood Consultancy Services, LA Architects, Kier Colchester-based HAT Projects – is part of a wider £9m Construction, Parkwood Leisure and Parkwood Health Care. regeneration of Hastings’ historic Stade area. It was funded with £35m of private finance initiative credits Jerwood Gallery incorporates more than 500sq m from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. (5,382sq ft) of exhibition space, as well as a sculpture It features a 50m swimming pool and a teaching pool, a courtyard. The building is clad in hand-glazed ceramic tiles, gym, a four court sports hall, two fitness studios and a spa. with large windows providing sea views.

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 23 HOTSEAT

BEN MIDGLEY The president of Crunch Franchise believes the low- cost model is eminently sustainable. He talks to Kate Cracknell about added value in the budget sector and the importance of supporting your franchisees

What is your professional background? I’ve worked in fi tness my whole life – I grew up in the industry. As a student I worked at Gold’s Gym, cleaning equipment and helping out around the club. In 1995 I won IHRSA’s Salesperson of the Year award, which helped to put me on the radar. I was then recruited by 24 Hour Fitness as a senior director of corporate sales, where I met Mark Mastrov. Nine years later I became executive vice president of Planet Fitness in the US, before taking a six-month career break. I think I went about two years without taking a day off, and my third child was going to be born. I was getting a little burnt out and decided to step away from the business.

How did you first get Crunch Franchise is the franchised, low- involved with Crunch? cost club division of Crunch Fitness, After I’d recharged my batteries, I re-engaged owned by New Evolution Ventures with Mark [Mastrov] and Jim [Rowley, CEO of Crunch] in 2009 – in my opinion they’re the fi nest business people in the fi tness industry and I was Also, Crunch is a fairly edgy brand. Crunch clubs grab thrilled to work with them. people’s attention and get a lot of PR by putting on pole They’d just bought Crunch [owned by their company, New dancing classes and so on… things that are really at the Evolution Ventures] and had decided they wanted to do a cutting edge of group fi tness. That gives it a strong brand franchise venture, which I came on board to head up. We presence and as a result everyone thinks that the company launched about a year and a half ago. is much, much bigger than it is. That edginess works in the big cities, which is fi ne What is the best part of your job? because Crunch focuses on metropolitan areas, but we I work with people I trust without question, and the work designed the franchise model so we could put it anywhere I do is very rewarding. When you franchise, it brings in all in the country [in the US]. We take the coolness of the kinds of different aspects: you’re not just confi ned within brand and the cleverness of the advertising, but we tone it the four walls of a club. down a bit to ensure that we resonate with audiences out- You have to know everything about the process, from side of the big cities. We need to connect with a broader fi nding real estate to getting someone fi nanced to doing demographic than the standard Crunch clubs. budgeting and marketing. You have to know it all, because you have to teach people every day. It’s fun to bring people What do you see as your main challenges? through that process. I couldn’t think of a better job. The risk with the low-cost market is that consumers stop being amazed by the price and start expecting more and The Crunch clubs are high end, with a strong more for their money. We stuck our neck out a bit by adding brand renowned for its creativity. How group fi tness, and it’s allowed us to compete very strongly does the franchise off ering compare? even in areas where there are other budget clubs. We’ve taken the coolness and the fun of the Crunch brand, It’s meant it hasn’t mattered that we weren’t fi rst to mar- but we’ve toned down the offerings a bit because we’re ket. Maybe at some point someone will add even more for lower priced. We charge US$19.95 a month, whereas the the money. I don’t see how they could, but you never know. Crunch-owned clubs charge an average of US$69 a month. In the meantime, offering group fi tness has allowed us to

24 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 HOTSEAT

The latest club opened in California at the start of April

“In the long run we’ll look at further international expansion, but you have to go into new markets at the right time and most importantly with the right operator”

draw a lot of people to our clubs. would say that the margins in these clubs are the same or We help franchisees recruit and train instructors, and better than any other. You just have to be smart about it. Crunch has designed some fantastic proprietary classes which we’ve been able to put into the franchise clubs too. It’s Crunch Franchise currently has 14 operational been amazingly popular – we started off with a small group sites in the US and Australia with deals agreed for fi tness room and soon 80 people were trying to get into that a further 100 units. What investment is required? class. The challenge was getting the scheduling right. Each of our 1,580-1,670sq m (17,000-18,000sq ft) clubs requires an investment of over US$1m. Just to get fi nance Do you think the budget model is sustainable? for that in the US nowadays, you have to be pretty fi nancially I think low-cost is completely sustainable. A lot of people solid. So I think for our space we’ve done exceptionally well. seem to be caught up in the notion that the health and fi t- I’d always like to see us do better, but we’ll get there. ness industry runs in one way, but it clearly doesn’t. Look at all the fringe companies popping up – the yoga studios, the What about international growth? CrossFit clubs… There are a hundred ways to do fi tness. In the long run we’ll look at further international expansion, Trying to launch a franchise in this particular econ- but you have to go into new markets at the right time, and omy, really it had to be low-cost. In any case, the low price most importantly with the right operator. It’s not about sell- model can be extremely lucrative. Different operators have ing as fast as you can. At a young stage for a franchise, approached it differently and have had varying degrees of if you get the wrong operators and they do a terrible job, success because it is a tricky model, but it’s actually a very you’re going to hurt yourself a lot more than the benefi t you intelligent way to approach the business. get from selling the additional units. You have to have a certain amount of discipline, and of We’re working on other international markets – I’m not course there are limitations – you wouldn’t put a low price going to talk about which ones at this point – but at the club in a location where you’re paying US$50 a square foot moment we’re really concentrating on growth in the US. We’re for the space, for example, although given the economy now getting a lot more interest in the model now, and as the busi- you can in any case get great real estate deals. However, I ness matures that interest is getting more sophisticated.

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 25 HOTSEAT

Members pay $19.95 a month for use of the facilities

“I think a franchise company has to be open to learning and allowing a bit of flexibility, letting people test things out to see if they can make improvements”

For example, someone who owns one of the largest Because the fi tness industry is evolving – it’s always going Dunkin Donut territories in the country has now come over to evolve – and you have to be able to evolve with it. There and bought into our brand. That’s exactly what we’re looking are different ways to programme, different ways to inter- for – people seeing us as a strong investment opportunity, act, different things to do with technology, different ways of even in this young stage of our development. integrating with the community. We want to make sure we Part of that is of course down to the brand, but I also have open ears the whole time. If you get to the point in your have to credit our team in the franchise business – there’s career where you think you have all the answers, I believe a lot of relationship-building that goes on, creating trust you’ve already missed the broader picture. with the potential franchisee and then making good on that. We’ve done a good job of getting people comfortable. Are you optimistic about the future of the fitness industry? What do you most enjoy about I think what’s good about the industry is that it’s always the franchise business? trying something new, trying to fi nd different ways to get What I really love is the sort of personal relationships you people involved. But it is an uphill battle to get people off end up building with the franchisee. That’s really important the couch and taking their health seriously, and we need to to me. I have a very strong belief in terms of doing the right be more open to changing in different ways – not just evolv- thing for the people you sell to, whether it’s a health club ing our offering in our clubs to try and get more people in, membership or a franchise. but actually looking beyond our four walls. We have to go Most franchisees currently buy closer to fi ve units, but out and promote ways just to get people to do something, we do have people who buy just one, and in a lot of cases some sort of activity, and in the end we’ll all benefi t. they will invest a signifi cant portion of their personal assets I believe we need to rethink the way we approach to get the business up and running. You also learn about politicians too. Rather than being too prescriptive in our rec- these people through your conversations with them – about ommendations, we need to focus on getting them engaged in their family, their dreams… It becomes very rewarding to exercise. If they do that, and start to appreciate its value, I help them become successful in their own business. believe they’ll work out a way to get it into legislation.

How much control do you like to have? And how about future opportunities We take the philosophy that we’re 80 per cent rigid and for Crunch Franchise? 20 per cent fl exible. A lot of franchisors say ‘do it our way: Mark [Mastrov] has set a target of 300 Crunch Franchise that’s the only way’, but there are lots of great ideas out clubs in fi ve years, which would be great. But I’m not one there. I think a franchise business has to be open to learn- to put big numbers out there. My day-to-day job is about ing and allowing a bit of fl exibility, letting people test things looking after our franchisees. If we do that really well, who out to see if it can make improvements across the network. knows what the number could be. ●

26 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Organised by:

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* ABC audit for LIW 2011 (20-22 September 2011). Total attendance: 9,064. Visitor attendance: 7,177. Exhibitor attendance: 1,877. ARCHITECT’S FOCUS

Fletcher Priest were given a brief to rethink and reuse as many of the existing spaces and materials as possible FLETCHER PRIEST

A former Methodist church and library in the heart of east London has been transformed into a contemporary ‘social cinema’ space. Project architect Mareike Langkitsch talks to Julie Cramer about the new Hackney Picturehouse

How did you come to be involved in the project? Screen Picturehouse is that they don’t just do cinemas but As a practice, we have more than 35 years of cinema archi- offer other things as well, such as arts and event spaces tecture experience including the award-winning restoration and bars and restaurants. They always try to get the local of Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema, which reopened in 2008. community involved. It’s a much more wholesome approach. We were approached by the City Screen Picturehouse group to design their 20th project. The nice thing about City What can you tell us about the original building in Hackney? It is set within a conservation area, but the building itself was not listed, which obviously made things a lot easier for us when approaching the project. The site used to be a library and a Methodist church dating back to the early 20th century. Just over a decade ago it was turned into the Hackney Ocean music venue, which was a major investment at the time, but unfortunately the venue was not very successful. It’s also in the area of Hackney that was hit by the riots in August 2011. Work on the building was ongoing at the time and we saw our project on the news. The cinema represents a major investment in the heart of Hackney at this critical time, and offers various arts-related community activities as well as a four screen cinema.

Have you had personal experience of working on cinema projects before? I recently ran the design of [Japanese bank] Nomura’s auditorium in the Fletcher Priest-designed Watermark Place office development in the City of London. I’m also heading an audit for the Barbican Centre’s cinema refur- Acoustic materials in the bar area have been refurbished bishment – also in the City. These experiences have been

28 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 HACKNEY PICTUREHOUSE

The venue has four cinema screens, an events venue, a bar and a restaurant very useful in understanding the design detail involved in a project of this kind. The Hackney Picturehouse opened in November 2011, and is the 20th venue from City Screen, which owns the Picturehouse brand. What were the most satisfying The company’s other locations are: aspects of the project for you? The fact that we reused a lot of the existing N Clapham Picturehouse NArts Picturehouse, Cambridge spaces and materials was very pleasing. The NGate Picturehouse, Notting Hill NCameo Picturehouse, Edinburgh building was only refurbished 10 years ago and NGreenwich Picturehouse NExeter Picturehouse there were a lot of things in there that were NRitzy Picturehouse, Brixton NRegal Picturehouse, probably quite expensive at the time and which NStratford Picturehouse, Henley-on-Thames were still fully functional. East London N Picturehouse at FACT, Liverpool For example, we used all the acoustic panels NThe Belmont Picturehouse, NCinema City, Norwich from the old concert venue and bar, wrapping Aberdeen NPhoenix Picturehouse, Oxford them in new acoustic fabric and putting them NLittle Theatre Cinema, Bath NHarbour Lights Picturehouse, into new locations – that saved a lot of money NDuke of York’s Picturehouse, Southampton and work, and was better than just throwing Brighton NStratford Picturehouse, them away. We also revamped most of the NAbbeygate Picturehouse, Stratford-upon-Avon existing bars by cladding them in a Corian cov- Bury St Edmunds NCity Screen Picturehouse, York ering, and retained and extended the very good quality slate flooring in the entrance areas. rough, industrial touch – so we simply cleaned it and sand- What original architectural features blasted it to give it a fresh new look. have you preserved? The old sandstone façade was very much part of the town What were the most challenging aspects of the job? square, so for signage we erected lightweight mesh letters We didn’t have all the information about the original build- in the window spaces, which gave the building a new iden- ing, and although we did a survey at the start, we were still tity, while at the same time preserving its character. Inside discovering things as we went along. For example, what we we liked the original concrete staircase, which added a thought was a lightweight wall was actually structural.

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 29 ARCHITECT’S FOCUS

Fletcher Priest revamped the building’s sandstone façade by adding lightweight mesh lettering

Simple graphics in a limited colour palette were used

Having said that, we tried to avoid as much structural work as possible. Screens three and four were already built as studios so didn’t require a lot of work, while screens one and two needed substantially re-arranging. Of course, you’d always design the cinema differently if you were able to start from scratch – it was mostly a case of taking the spaces we found and inserting a cinema into them.

What did the project cost and how long did it take? It cost £3.8m altogether. Work started on site in February 2011 and was completed at the end of October 2011. As far as we’re aware, for the number of seats in the building, it’s a relatively low-cost cinema.

What was your approach to the cinema graphics and signage? The existing building looked very dated inside with lots of colours that just added to the confusion. We stripped eve- rything back and used whites and greys to create a calmer feel. We then inserted splashes of colour via the signage and super-graphics, using big numbers and a uniform font. The signs actually play a very important role in guiding peo- ple through the complicated layout of the building. This approach is also reflected on a smaller scale as the same style was used throughout for the statutory signage, seat numbers, posters, programmes and other publications.

How did you approach the design of the social spaces? What else does the building house? We located all the bars and restaurant towards the front of On the top floor we designed the Hackney Attic – City the three-storey building, to make use of the big beautiful Screen wanted to create this as an events venue in its own openings that overlook the town square. right. The bar hosts events several times a week, ranging This means that the bars and restaurant get lots of nat- from DJs to live music and comedy nights. ural light, and people on the street also get a glimpse of The entire building covers 4,000sq m in total, and there what is going on in the building. The restaurant on the were a lot of back of house areas that were not well con- ground floor has an excellent chef, and it’s always packed. nected to the cinema space, such as the former artists’ When the weather is good, the west-facing frontage can be dressing rooms. They were great spaces with balconies and used to extend the seating area. lots of natural light. We have turned them into office spaces

30 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 HACKNEY PICTUREHOUSE

to rent – there are a lot of artists and freelancers working in What have been the highlights of the the area, and this is now a perfect location for them. Hackney Picturehouse project for you? It’s been a real highlight working so closely with the client, How eco-friendly was the project? because you can see that they are passionate about what We recycled as much as we possibly could from the old they do. Also the mix of cinema, arts, entertainment and building and have also introduced some interesting prod- culture within the building was something that I could easily ucts. For example, the dark reddish kebony timber floor in relate to – it’s the kind of place I like to go, rather than to a the Hackney Attic events space is a soft wood that has been blockbuster-type cinema. treated with a bio waste product to become a hard wood. It I’m also a Hackney resident so it was very exciting for me looks great, is sustainable and is very hard-wearing. to be working on my local cinema. ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 31 INTERVIEW

PHILLIP MILLS

As Les Mills UK is launched, Magali Robathan talks to the founder of BODYPUMP™ about the future of fitness, children’s exercise and greening the industry

hen I meet Phillip has all its resources focused on Mills, founder of Les keeping up with the innovation.” Mills International FitPro and LMI have been work- W (LMI) and creator of ing together on the handover, with the phenomenally successful range the new Les Mills UK office based of group fitness programmes includ- in FitPro’s offices until May. The ing BODYPUMP™, BODYCOMBAT™ and FitPro staff that were dedicated to BODYJAM™, he’s nearing the end of a the Les Mills products – around 50 six-week stint in the UK. of them – are being kept on by Les Mills’ main reason for being in the Mills UK, and former CEO of LMI, country is to help launch Les Mills Jill Tattersall, is managing the tran- UK. For the past 15 years, Fitness sition. A new chief executive will be Professionals (FitPro) has been recruited to head up the UK company. responsible for distributing LMI’s exer- Six 'club coaches' – senior industry cise programmes in the UK, but early consultants who will be given training this year, LMI bought the distributor- by LMI – will also be recruited to sup- played a huge part in popularising ship business from FitPro and will now port clubs using the LMI programmes. group exercise around the world. deliver the programmes directly to its Mills famously started his career UK partners via Les Mills UK. THE CLASSES in health and fitness as a cleaner at “FitPro have been growing their own Les Mills International is the world’s his parents’ gym in Auckland, New business,” says Mills. “They need to biggest provider of exercise to music Zealand. His father, Les Mills, was focus on that and at the same time programmes, with 14,000 clubs using an Olympic athlete, representing we have got to a point of critical mass their 10 programmes across 80 coun- New Zealand in shot put, discus and where we are developing really signifi- tries. The word pioneer is massively weightlifting, while his mother Colleen cant innovation at a constant rate. To overused, but in Phillip Mills’ case, it competed in the Commonwealth implement that properly into a market really is justified – the standardised Games, as did Phillip and his sis- really needs a dedicated agency that exercise classes that he developed ter Donna. Les and Colleen opened their first gym in 1968 in Auckland, which started as a sport-based facility, mainly employing athletes as staff. In the 1970s, the family put a small group exercise studio into the gym, and following a stint spent studying in Los Angeles, Phillip Mills decided to liven up their fitness classes by combining the skills of sports professionals and theatre and dance teachers, and com- ing up with choreography to hit music. “We started to take a really focused approach to group exercise,” says Mills. “We only had one studio at the time, and we focused on developing our own group exercise programming and building a teacher training system. Our classes became so popular that Les Mills classes are now run in clubs across 80 countries we were bursting out through the walls

32 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 LMI advises clubs on what equipment to use for its classes and how much space is needed of our studio. We built another studio, and then another, and then a fourth on “WE DO A LOT OF HEAD-HUNTING AND RECRUIT the roof, and still we were full to burst- ing. That’s when we thought, we’re on ROCK STAR CLASS INSTRUCTORS. WE to something here.” ALSO PAY REALLY WELL – UP TO $150 PER CLASS" They certainly were. The classes were so popular that Les Mills began to licence them for use by other clubs, exercise programmes. Last year this, says Mills, is not just to drive and in the mid-1990s the company saw the launch of SH'BAM™ – a 45 sales of the DVD, but also to “achieve employed its first international distri- minute, dance-inspired workout, as what Jane Fonda achieved in her time bution agents. In 1997, Phillip Mills well as CXWORX™, an intensive 30 and drive millions of people into health founded Les Mills International as minute core class. Both programmes clubs.” The tv campaign will launch a separate company from Les Mills are being launched in the UK this year. in the UK at the end of 2012 and in Health Clubs (which he also heads up) Next year, LMI will move into a northern Europe early next year. in order to focus on the fast-growing new area, with the launch of its chil- licensing business. By 2001, 5,000 dren’s programming. There are four THE CLUBS clubs were using the LMI programmes classes; one aimed at 4-6-year-olds, The creation and licence of standard- worldwide; this continued to grow to one for 6-8-year-olds, a boys’ class for ised fitness programmes, along with 10,000 by 2006. Today the figure 9-14-year-olds and a girls’ class for teacher training and marketing, is now stands at 14,000 clubs, with millions the same age range. the core part of the Les Mills busi- of people taking part in Les Mills- “There is a real need for children’s ness. The health clubs are still going branded classes each week. They are exercise classes,” says Mills. “The strong though, and the company now phenomenally successful, according to younger kids’ ones are focused around has 11 clubs across New Zealand. Mills, because they deliver real results, dance and imaginative movement. The Les Mills Christchurch City, which was and because they are very carefully older boys’ class incorporates elements rebuilt in 2011, has just reopened fol- created and trialled to ensure they gen- of martial arts and pure fitness, and lowing its closure after last year’s erate maximum energy and ‘buzz’. The the girls’ is based on modern hip hop.” devastating earthquake. programmes are renewed every three LMI recently released its first info- Mills spends much of his time trav- months from Auckland with new chore- mercial in the US, advertising LES elling the world to find out what makes ography, music and instructor training. MILLS PUMP, an at-home workout DVD a health club work, and he’s clearly Today, LMI has 10 standardised based on BODYPUMP™. The aim of immensely proud of his own. “Our

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 33 INTERVIEW

Les Mills health clubs use bright colours and blown up graphics in their exercise studios model is to build a big group exer- of our gyms. Lately we install up to design of their group exercise studios. cise studio as the focus of our clubs, $1m worth of audiovisual equipment We build them to be like medical labs but we are also big on gyms. I make a throughout the clubs. – small, brightly lit with white walls point of having the best free weights “One of the most common mis- and facing a large mirror. For a new facilities in the area I’m in,” he says. takes club owners make is around member walking in, it’s a very self con- Naturally, the group exercise classes group exercise design – 95 per cent scious, sterile environment.” are massively popular. “We do a lot of all facilities around the world are as To illustrate his point, Mills tells a of head-hunting and we recruit rock wrong as they could be in terms of the story about a club he visited with this star teachers,” he says. “We also pay kind of décor. “We were standing in really well – up to $150 per class, but the exercise studio and I asked the it works out financially to do that. It’s club owner, 'do you like to dance at much better to pay $150 for someone parties?' He said, 'I’m a bit shy, so I that attracts 100 to 200 people per tend to dance in the dark, in the cor- class rather than paying $20 to some- ner of the room.' I said 'would you like one that only attracts 20 people.” to dance in here?' He looked around The design is also important. “It’s and said, 'I see what you mean'. Next vital to create a motivating exercise time I went back, he’d dimmed the environment,” says Mills. “High ceil- lights and warmed up the colours in ings and a lot of natural light helps. the studio – it made a big difference.” You can’t always afford to build big, Despite the success of the Les Mills beautiful facilities, but you can cre- health clubs, growing outside of Mills’ ate stimulating décor. We do a lot native country is not part of the plan. with blown up graphics and we really The Les Mills “We won’t build clubs outside of New focus on our AV. Twelve years ago, we classes are Zealand – we have made that com- renewed every started building cardio cinema, show- mitment to our agents that we won’t three months ing music videos in the cardio areas compete with them,” says Mills.

34 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 LES MILLS CLASSES

BODYATTACK™ BODYJAM™ Sports-inspired cardio workout for A cardio workout which combines the building strength and stamina. High latest dance moves and hottest new energy interval training class com- sounds, and which puts the emphasis bines athletic aerobic movements with on having fun as much as exercising strength and stabilisation exercises. and breaking a sweat.

BODYPUMP™ BODYSTEP™ The original barbell class designed An energising step workout. to strengthen the entire body. This Participants exercise using a height- 60-minute workout challenges all adjustable step and simple movements major muscle groups by using weight- on, over and around the step. room exercises including squats, presses, lifts and curls. BODYVIVE™ A low impact, whole-body, fun work- BODYCOMBAT™ out that improves fitness and core Energetic cardio workout inspired by strength using body weight, VIVE™ martial arts. It draws from a wide array tubes and balls for extra resistance. of disciplines, including karate, boxing, t aekwondo, tai chi and muay thai. SH’BAM™ A 45-minute dance class featuring BODYBALANCE™ simple dance moves with chart-top- A yoga, tai chi and pilates workout ping hits. A fun and sociable exercise that builds flexibility and strength. class for all abilities. Controlled breathing, concentration and a carefully structured series of CXWORX™ stretches, moves and poses to music A short, sharp workout that strength- create a holistic workout. ens and tones the body. The class hones in on the torso and sling mus- RPM™ cles that connect the upper and An indoor cycling workout in which par- lower body, and improves functional ticipants ride to the rhythm of music. strength and helps injury prevention.

ISSUES FOR THE INDUSTRY tive is that these gyms charge a lot my life,” he says. “I started a group in As well as driving his own business, of money, and people are prepared to NZ called Pure Advantage, which has Mills spends a lot of time researching pay it. So at one end you’ve got peo- the backing of a lot of NZ’s biggest and talking about the wider issues for ple saying they won’t pay $50 a month business leaders. The primary aim is to the health and fitness industry. for gym membership and going over lobby government to adopt green eco- He sees two very different trends to the budget gyms, and at the other nomic policies that will enable NZ to emerging within the industry. The first end you’ve got people paying $150 prosper in a future low carbon world, is the huge growth of budget clubs, a month at these micro gyms. This and help to avert ecological disaster.” which he says has been fuelled by the should give us an insight into what On a personal level, Mills tries to lack of innovation in traditional clubs. people really value in our offering.” take care of his own health, as well as “Most facilities have found that when Sustainability is another big issue that of the planet. He is “pretty obses- a budget club opens next door, maybe for the industry, says Mills. “There is sive” about his diet, eating organic, 10 to 20 per cent of members will go a major relationship between health locally-sourced food where possible. over to it," says Mills. "This is very diffi- and green issues. We need to walk the Three years ago he cut out sugar and cult for clubs, as that 10 to 20 per cent walk and green our own facilities. It says he has seen radical improve- is often your profit margin.” doesn’t matter what we do, if we don’t ments in his health as a result. As The second, more positive, trend is deal with global warming then our busi- well as working out, he mountain the growth of what Mills calls micro ness is not going to be successful in bikes – “I went out and broke two ribs gyms – niche gyms dedicated to just 15 or 20 years time.” and punctured a lung last year – I still one type of activity. “There are dozens Mills has long been an advocate go out riding every Sunday though” – of these brands in the US,” he says. for green issues. As well as working skis and surfs, and he spends half of “Operations like Omni, Flywheel, Pure to encourage the health and fitness every year travelling on business. Yoga, UFC Gym, Orangetheory Fitness industry to become more green, he When I ask why he drives himself and Soul Cycle. These will be the campaigns more widely on the envi- so hard, Mills’ answer is simple, and next big wave of gyms – it’s an area ronment. “Outside of my business, my probably sums up his attitude to life: that is really taking off. What’s posi- environmental politics is a big part of “You’re a long time dead, mate.” ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 35 www.barrandwray.com TECH

Advances in technology are helping operators give better customer care than ever. We take a look at how systems are playing their part CUSTOMER CARE

CASE STUDY 1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS USES CRM SYSTEM TO SPEAK TO FANS

ports CRM agency Goodform was appointed by Queens Park S Rangers FC in 2009, as the club was seeking to communicate more effectively with its fan base, develop its business processes and increase revenues via a new CRM strategy. At the time, the club had disparate systems and data, no CRM system, no customer history and no single cus- tomer view. Goodform’s brief was to consolidate the disparate data, create a single customer view and manage this data on an ongoing basis and QPR fans are targeted use it to power targeted, personalised with personalised sales and marketing campaigns. campaigns and messages Goodform now hosts, on its in-house CRM system, a single customer view of 240,000 records with regular feeds to produce individual marketing plans the right products and messages. from eight systems across the club. for each of these types and their pref- According to Goodform, spend per Using a CRM-led marketing approach, erences. This approach has enabled head increased by 326 per cent in the this data has been segmented and QPR to identify its most loyal and prof- 2010/2011 season, with e-marketing profi led to produce nine customer itable customers, as well as being campaigns regularly achieving open types. This information has been used able to target the right customers with rates of more than 40 per cent.

CASE STUDY 2 SERCO LEISURE REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH ENERGY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

erco Leisure, provider of facili- parate sources into a central carbon ‘alerts’, Serco Leisure responds imme- ties management services to the management database and provide diately to potential issues instead of S leisure industry and part of glo- real-time insight into the causes of var- discovering them months later in a bal outsourcing company Serco Group iations in energy consumption, from review of utilities bills. PLC, is reducing the carbon footprint of increased visitor numbers and extreme Through a combination of opera- its 70 local authority leisure centres. weather conditions to equipment fail- tional focus, continuous improvement In order to monitor and help reduce ure and the successful implementation and the insight provided by VISION energy consumption, Serco Leisure of new energy saving initiatives. Serco Server, Serco Leisure has reduced its chose to use Legend's VISION Server Leisure uses the VISION Server Energy carbon footprint by 29 per cent and is Energy Management solution. Management solution to set bench- aiming at a further 5 per cent reduc- Using the VISION Server, integrated marks for utility consumption and tion in the coming year. with the Legend Club Management tracks progress against these goals “We have achieved annual cost CRM system, Serco Leisure has been via automatic alarms. Through the savings well in excess of £1m by mon- able to draw data from multiple, dis- intelligent application of these incident itoring, tracking and benchmarking the way in which our leisure cen- tres function,” says Keith Thomas, "We have achieved annual cost savings well in excess managing director of Serco Leisure. of £1m and are more environmentally-accountable" “This is also enabling us to be more environmentally-accountable.”

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 37 TECH

CASE STUDY 3 3D CUSTOMER VIEW POWERS IMPROVEMENTS AT ASPIRE

spire Sports & Cultural Trust provides public leisure facili- "It makes it easy to apply discounts, run daily A ties and services to more than promotions and deploy special off ers" one million customers every year. The Gloucester-based trust aims to raise service standards and boost par- member usage, current bookings and promotions to incentivise and reward ticipation, and to this end recently demographic-based data, so we can customers, and has run successful implemented a new leisure manage- engage better with them and encour- voucher programmes through compa- ment system – ClarityLive for Leisure age sales,” says Douglas. nies including Groupon. “It’s easy to – across its three sites. The trust has been able to reduce apply discounts, run daily promotions ”We were looking to serve our cus- queuing and improve the customer and deploy special offers, and equally tomers better, faster and in a more experience. Since installing the new simple for our customers to redeem personal way,” says business devel- system towards the end of 2011, their vouchers,” says Douglas. opment director Jacquie Douglas. “We Aspire has speeded-up front of house Responding to public demand for also needed the back offi ce functional- service and simplifi ed point of sale online access to information and serv- ity to support the improvements made transactions across everything from ices has been another focus at Aspire, in the ways we develop, sell and moni- single entry tickets to membership and was a core requirement when they tor our programmes.” and course booking requirements. implemented ClarityLive for Leisure. Aspire has gained a ‘faff-free’ sin- Customers can make one simple pay- The trust has exceeded its original gle view of each customer. Simple ment, no matter how complex their web bookings target, with 27 per cent screen layouts help reception staff purchase ‘basket’ is. of bookings already being made online. to view and understand information The ability to streamline complex “Having intuitive functionality all in instantly, and to focus on customer transactions and accept multiple pay- one place means that supervisory needs. “We see our customers in ‘3D’ ment methods does more than simply staff can confi gure changes that pre- – we can quickly fl ick between multiple improve front of house service. Aspire viously would have required an IT windows to see information such as can make greater use of discounts and specialist,” adds Douglas.

CASE STUDY 4 CRM SOFTWARE HELPS INDEPENDENT GYM WIN AWARD

n June 2010, independent gym who comes into our club,” says Godly. owner Neil Godly started using the “When a prospective member I ClubWise customer relationship comes into the gym, ClubWise auto- manager software to track mem- matically schedules a follow up phone ber use – a decision he’s convinced call two days later. If they still haven’t helped his gym win a top award. signed up, they are automatically sent The Oxygen Fit club in East Barnet an email, and a further phone call is won the Newcomer of the Year Award scheduled 20 days after their visit.” at the 2011 National Fitness Awards in As well as prospective members, the November, in part, he believes, thanks system helps track existing members, to the personal service ClubWise has and provides staff with information helped him offer members. about when and how often they are “Because Oxygen Fit is a small, attending. If a member hasn’t been in community gym, ClubWise has enabled for a while, they will be sent an email Neil Godly and his team at the us to give that extra bit of customer saying ‘we miss you’ and the club can Oxygen Fit club in East Barnet care,” says Godly. decide how to encourage them to use Clubwise combines club manage- the facilities more regularly. ment software, integrated Direct “ClubWise is a great management Debit and administration services, and diary tool," says Godly. "It’s friends to the club and receive a dis- together with interactive sales, refer- almost like having a couple of extra count on their monthly Direct Debit. ral and retention services. “We liked members of staff.” Further ahead, Godly is thinking it because it offered Direct Debit man- The club has also seen new mem- about expanding. “Thanks to ClubWise agement, as well as offering us client ber numbers increase by introducing I know what the breakdown of our and prospective client management. ClubWise’s Interactive Referral solu- members are, which would help me to It enables us to keep track of anyone tion which enables members to refer identify the right area for a new gym,”

38 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 One Leisure has installed Gladstone's kiosks across all fi ve of its sites

Health & Leisure

CASE STUDY 5 CUSTOMERS PUT IN CHARGE WITH GLADSTONE KIOSKS

ne Leisure is managed by meant a stack of membership cards Huntingdonshire District piling up in the gym, but the fast track O Council and provides sports kiosks have eliminated that now and and leisure activities for all ages and reduced any waiting time. interests. Last year, more than 1.7 mil- One Leisure staggered the intro- lion people visited the fi ve One Leisure duction of the smart software system sites located in Huntingdon, Ramsey, to gradually familiarise the custom- Sawtry, St Ives and St Neots. ers with the kiosks, online bookings In 2009, One Leisure decided to and online payments. Online booking install Gladstone’s kiosks across all through Gladstone’s Connect product fi ve of its sites. It took a while for was set up around three years ago. customers to feel confi dent using There was a soft launch of online pay- them, so initially staff were on hand ments in March 2011 – three months to encourage visitors to use the new later, 60 per cent of all class transac- technology. Now, though, One Leisure tions at Ramsey Leisure Centre were reports that the kiosks are hugely pop- carried out and paid for online. ular, with more than 1,000 customers Looking ahead, the plan is to really using them for around 1,500 bookings push the online capabilities over the every month at the St Ives site alone. summer period, and One Leisure The kiosks can be used to admit expects to see a further increase in entry to the sites and to buy anything the number of online transactions from a gym session or fi tness class to as kids’ courses and activities are a sauna or steam, as well as booking booked for the summer holidays. advance sessions and buying money- The Connect online booking and saving subscriptions, such as 10 payments software, in conjunction classes for the price of eight. with the fast track kiosks on site, are Bookings made at the kiosks also improving effi ciency, as anyone book- allow access to the door at the gym, ing online now has to pay at the same so the sites don’t need so many recep- time. The telephone booking system www.gladstonemrm.com tionists. Previously, customers had to uses the same process too, so oper- swipe in at reception and then again ators take a payment and process it 01491 201010 at the fi tness suite. At busy times this online at the time of each call. ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 39 BIG ambitions

FUELLING GROWTH

As one of the world’s largest oil producers, Azerbaijan has both wealth and ambition. Professor Terry Stevens investigates its tourism potential, the luxury developers targeting its capital and the 2020 Olympic Bid

PROFESSOR TERRY STEVENS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STEVENS & ASSOCIATES

he charge into the American Express suggest that in – suggested a Rapid Assessment Caucasus by international 2003-2004 the country was host- Strategy for tourism development. hotels brands is heav- ing over one million tourist arrivals, Over the past eight years, the min- T ily focused on Baku, the mostly from near neighbour countries. istry has increasingly focused on capital of Azerbaijan on the southern The UN World Tourism Organization is creating an environment where inter- shore of the Absheron Peninsula. The currently working with the Azerbaijan’s national investment in tourism can city is attracting the attention of Hyatt, Ministry of Culture and Tourism to rec- fl ourish, including the building of core Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott, Kempinski, tify the lack of statistics. infrastructure and enhancing hospital- Four Seasons and Starwood Hotels & ity skills and human capacity. Today, Resorts – all of which are being drawn FOCUSING ON TOURISM its priorities are based on shaping to this dynamic boomtown, where The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Azerbaijan as an elite destination for sparkling limousines and skyscrap- established in 1953, is the govern- spa and wellness tourism with a com- ers form the backdrop to an ancient ment agency that oversees all aspects plementary strand of development walled city that’s listed as a UNESCO of tourism development. Initially focusing on religious tourism. This World Heritage Site. responsible for cultural preserva- national strategy has highlighted the Baku, which has a population of tion, its focus shifted over time to the Absheron Peninsula and, especially, around 2 million, has a rich history as development of resorts until the col- the vibrant city of Baku as the hub of part of a country that has straddled lapse of the Soviet Union – the Soviet the strategy. the territories of competing Arab, Persian, Turkish and INVESTMENT SURGE Russian empires over the The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is By mid-2000, there were last two millennia. It gained focused on shaping Azerbaijan into an around 100 hotels in independence in 1991 fol- Azerbaijan, mostly concen- lowing the fall of the Soviet elite destination for spa tourism trated in Baku and the two Union and today global inter- other major cities of Ganja est has been stimulated and Sheki. At the top end by the extensive oil resources under- was a key market – and the Nagorno- these were comparable to hospital- lying the Caspian Sea, together with Karabakh civil war in the 1990s which ity standards expected in western the phenomenon of oil oozing out of crippled the fl edgling tourism industry. destinations. In the past three to the ground creating natural oil fi res The sector began to pick up pace fi ve years, however, there’s been an on the peninsula. In 2007 and 2008, once more in the early 2000s, with the investment surge signalled by the Azerbaijan was the world’s largest oil 2002 Mission by the UN World Tourism early appearance of brands such as producer. Modern living in the city has Organization which successfully nur- Hyatt and Radisson, as well as locally- fl ourished, which gives the ancient tured and whetted the government’s owned boutique hotels such as Hotel metropolis a cosmopolitan feel with a appetite for developing international Meridian and Diplomat. strong business tourism market. leisure and business tourism. On the 2011 was no exception to the activ- Tourism is rapidly becoming an back of this in 2004, Azerbaijan’s ity. The 159-bedroom Park Hyatt important part of the economy of Citizens Development Corps (CDC) – invested US$330,000 (£187,000) on Azerbaijan, although accurate sta- under the auspices of the Organisation refurbishing its spa that forms part tistics are elusive. Estimates by for Security and Cooperation in Europe of the hotel’s three-storey Club Oasis

40 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The 950sq m Jaleh Spa (this picture) is part of Four Seasons Baku, due to open in June

The Flame Towers development (above) will feature a 299-bedroom Fairmont Hotel with an ESPA spa (right), due to open soon. complex. The Club Oasis's Armaiti seasonal aqua park, as well as the The hotel, designed by Korean firm Spa covers 310sq m (3,337sq ft). 280-bedroom Kempinski hotel. The spa Heerim Architects, will form part of Hotel manager Kostas Batalas is features 20 treatment rooms – six of the Caspian Plus development which clearly inspired by this development, which are doubles – and a beauty cen- includes a further four buildings – saying that he recognises its “power tre. The product house is Elemental three residential and one for office to capture new markets and retain Herbology. A lap pool, steamroom, use. The Caspian Plus, due for comple- existing business." sauna, hammam and fitness studio are tion in 2015, will sit on the opposite December saw the opening of the also part of the offer. peninsula to the equally impressive 3,500sqm (37,674sq ft) European- Recognising the city’s potential, Full Moon Bay development (also by style spa at Kempinski Hotel Badamdar Kempinski has also signed a man- Heerim) which will feature the 35-sto- Baku. The new Badamar complex is agement agreement for a second site rey Hotel Full Moon built in disc shape one of the largest developments in in Baku – the 221-bedroom Crescent to look like the moon, as well as two the Caucasus region and boasts an Hotel, a glass, arch-shaped build- separate residential apartment blocks. entertainment and retail centre and ing that resembles a crescent moon. Other new arrivals in 2011 included

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 41 BIG ambitions

The Kempinski Hotel Badamdar Baku opened in December 2011

the 309-bedroom Hilton ment rooms as well as a Baku with its signature couples' suite. Products 1,500sqm (16,146sq will be supplied by Anne ft) eforea spa (see Spa Semonin and Charme Business 2011/3 p28); d’Orient. There will also and the 207-bedroom be a salon for hair- Sheraton Baku Airport dressing, make-up and hotel with a Gazelli Spa manicure/pedicure serv- and Wellness facility. ices; a thermal suite This year is set to comprising a steamroom, be equally as busy. rasul, and loofah room; a The 175-bedroom Four swimming pool and sun- Seasons Hotel Baku, deck; and a gym with due to open in June, is the High levels of business travel and the Precor equipment. setting for the 950sq m seductive appeal of an ancient yet Also due to open immi- (10,226sq ft) Jaleh Spa thoroughly modernised city is intoxicating nently is the 299-bedroom which occupies a roof-top Fairmont at the Flame location and provides wide Towers with an ESPA spa. views of the city and sea. Spa manager, Canadian Shawna female areas, with a hammam, steam- CHALLENGES AND Morneau, stresses the importance room and whirlpools by Barr + Wray, a IMPROVEMENTS of developing the local markets. She fitness centre and a pool that’s set in Despite the influx of international oper- estimates that “65 per cent of our a two-storey stone-clad atrium. ators, Azerbaijan still faces significant business will be derived from local and In May, Marriott is to make its debut challenges in developing its tour- VIP markets taking advantage of an with the launch of a 243-bedroom JW ism economy including environmental exclusive membership programme and Marriott Absheron Baku in the heart of concerns as a result of the oil and pet- our unique VIP suite facility and private the city overlooking Freedom Square rochemical industries. But there have balcony.” Designed by UK-based archi- and the Caspian Sea. The property also been some big improvements tects ReardonSmith, the spa has 10 will incorporate a health club and spa – most notably investment in Baku treatments rooms and will use prod- over three floors. The Absheron Spa International Airport and Azerbaijan ucts by Sodashi and Kirsten Florian. will cover 1,700 sq m (18,300sq ft) Airlines to provide better links to west- There are also separate male and and include four large single treat- ern Europe and Asia by major carriers.

42 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 2012 YEAR OF SPORTS he President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, announced in T January that 2012 would be the Year of Sports in the country. The initiative aims to expand the Olympic movement throughout Azerbaijan, to give a boost to Azeri ath- letes’ preparations for the London 2012 Olympics and ensure that all young Azeris regularly take part in sport, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle throughout the country. Azerbaijan is bidding to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Baku one of the six shortlisted The 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup starts on 22 September 2012 cities. The National Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan (the Milli Mejlis) business, technology and sports facili- decades since independence." voted in Febuary 2012 to fully endorse ties, as well as hotels, museums and art The 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World the Baku 2020 Bid. collections, universities and all the infra- Cup is being held in Baku this autumn. Konul Nurullayeva, the chief execu- structure that comes with them. As part of the Year of Sports, the pres- tive of Baku 2020, said recently: "Baku "With the Olympic Movement, together ident said that the country's Ministry is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. we can reinforce and continue the posi- of Youth and Sport has been asked to Our Olympic Bid is part of a wider tive social, economic and infrastructural develop an action plan, to include the process of transforming Baku into a changes that have already taken place development of additional sports com- world-class destination, with first-class in Baku and Azerbaijan over the past two plexes around the country.

More than 35,000 people now work standard spa and wellness product is is set to host a luxury resort encom- in tourism in the country, and degree certainly proving to be a successful passing 300 villas and a number of programmes in tourism management repositioning strategy as a high-class hotels, and will include seven glass have been established at Baku State destination. It is an approach that has and metal structures modelled on University, Azerbaijan State Economic captured consumer and media inter- Azerbaijan’s northern mountain range. University and various vocational col- est, yet there remains much more to Finance for the development, known leges and institutes. In addition, the be done to consolidate and create a as Zira Zero Island, is slated to come Association of Tourism of Azerbaijan rounded tourism offer. from the AvroCityHolding Group with has agreed to cooperate with the the Denmark architectural firm Bjarke American Hotel and Lodging Institute A POSITIVE OUTLOOK Ingels Group leading its design. to develop the country’s skill base. Nonetheless, Euromonitor High levels of business travel and Marketing remains a developing art, International’s Azerbaijan Report 2011, the seductive appeal of an ancient yet especially in terms of the positioning unveiled at the UK's World Travel thoroughly modernised city is an intox- and branding of the country, although Market in November, has a positive out- icating cocktail in which to grow an it’s expected that the international look on the country’s tourism sector innovative spa product. Although the hotel and spa operators will make a that’s driven by the revenues from the high yielding business and leisure travel significant contribution to improving oil industry and sits comfortably with constitutes a relatively small proportion awareness in this area. the diversification of one of the world’s of the one million or so international As a traditional crossroads between fastest growing economies. According arrivals, there are people for whom an Europe and Asia, and meeting place to the report, the glut of international interesting, quality, spa and wellness of cultures, the country’s heritage has luxury resorts in Baku appears to be experience is much sought after. major international appeal, as does its modelled on Dubai with “extravagant, Recent reports from Azerbaijan sug- environmental wealth and diversity – futuristic, luxury hotel resorts includ- gest that the country has extraordinary it straddles 11 of the earth’s climatic ing the Hotel Full Moon, Crescent ambitions to grow international arriv- zones creating extraordinary biodiver- Moon [Kempinski] and Flame Towers als to a staggering 20 million in 30 sity and natural resources. Rural and [Fairmont] with its ESPA Life spa." years. This will be a challenge, but eco-tourism have become interest- The most extravagant project, at a time when the UN World Tourism ing themes for recent development, according to the report, is the con- Organization is predicting global inter- with some projects being supported by cept planned for Nargin Island, a national tourism arrivals will grow from international donor aid programmes. former communist-era prison. It has 1 billion in 2011 to 1.8 billion by 2030, The arrival of globally recognised been reported online that the 1sq who's to argue against Azerbaijan hotel brands and an international- km island, 14km off Baku’s coast, securing a portion of this growth? ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 43 RESTAURANTS

MIXED FLAVOURS

Julie Cramer takes a look at some innovative dining concepts that are attracting attention in Europe and the US

■ Disappearing Dining Club venues have included a mini department store, a converted railway arch and an art gallery Disappearing Dining Club

e like grand spaces, the opportunity to meet and mingle random spaces are converted into raw spaces, old spaces, with new people. At a cost of around restaurants for the night, and could new spaces, up high £50 per head guests get a welcome be anything from basements and lofts in the air spaces, or glass of bubbly and canapés, followed around London to converted take- deepW underground spaces,” claims by a four course meal. away restaurants, clothes shops and the website of the ‘secret’ eating con- A Scandinavian-inspired event launderettes. cept called the Disappearing Dining recently featured a menu of Ballotine DDC is the brainchild of Stuart Club. Tapping into the growing Langley, who has a background in popularity for innovative ‘pop-up’ bars, restaurants, private mem- concepts which appear in unex- "It really builds the bers’ clubs, events and festivals. pected places, thrill and entertain He says: “We held our fi rst dinner their customers and then disap- anticipation if people have party in October 2010 and I invited pear again, DDC is the culinary to go through an old shop 30 friends. For our second event, equivalent of another London- those 30 friends brought 30 of their based entertainment concept or down an alley to find us" friends, and for our third event, we called Secret Cinema (see Leisure didn't know any of our guests.” Management 2011, Issue 3). Since then, he says, the busi- The company throws dinner and of Gravad Lax with Smoked Cod’s ness has gone from strength to dance parties in venues such as empty Roe & Guinness Bread, Roast Beef strength. Working with business part- warehouses, isolated rooftops and Rib, Baltic Hot Pot & Edwin’s Mustard ner and Danish chef, Fred Bolin, secret gardens throughout the year, as Relish, followed by Lingonberry Langley now runs two regular monthly well as hosting private events, wedding Pannacotta. Another event was held events, and two to three private dining parties, and art and music shows. It in a four-storey department store in experiences per week. also maintains a semi-permanent din- London's East End, where guests “We’re constantly searching for unu- ing space which changes periodically ate a different dinner course on each sual venues," says Langley. "It really (a new venue is due to open in east fl oor, while enjoying a range of music builds the anticipation if people have London in the next few months). and entertainment. to go through an old shop or down a The DDC’s monthly Dinner Dance The company also offers a selec- long alley to fi nd us. Our business is offering is targeted at groups of tion of private dining rooms where it all about the food and the spaces, friends who want a unique and qual- can cater for a minimum of eight and and what happens when people come ity dining experience while also having a maximum of 250 guests. These together to share the experience.”

44 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ■ Umamicatessen features the PIGG restaurant, Umami Burger, a deli, a doughnut menu, a coffee bar and a separate liquor bar Umamicatessen

pened at the start of March in Los Angeles, Umamicatessen features a range of eating concepts Ounder one roof, inspired by interna- tional street bazaars and the classic American delicatessen. Developed by the Umami Restaurant Group, which operates the Umami Burger chain, the new venue takes the style of a 170- seat table-service dining area, with a bar and fi ve kitchens run by different chefs from around the US. “Part of the fun of the restaurant business is the opportunity to collab- orate with other chefs,” says Adam Fleischman, founder and CEO, Umami ■ The Umami Restaurant Group also runs the Umami Burger chain Restaurant Group. “Umamicatessen is a playground for chefs and those who from different cultures and regions, house-ground meat, locally-sourced love to eat. Our variety of menus will such as hams, charcuterie, terrines produce, homemade ingredients and always be fi lled with fresh interpreta- and salumi. Cosentino says: “Adam chef-inspired burgers. tions of comfort foods.” [Fleischman] is one of the most for- Like Heston Blumenthal in the UK, The new site at the Orpheum in LA ward-thinking hospitality entrepreneurs Fleischsman – who is a self-taught features the unusual PIGG concept – in the industry. We look forward to chef and a food and wine entrepre- a collaboration with Chris Cosentino, establishing Umamicatessen as a neur – has pioneered the pleasures a chef whose restaurant concepts in must-visit culinary destination for LA of umami (known as the fi fth taste). San Francisco are known for trans- locals and visitors alike.” Umami is a Japanese word describ- forming offal into haute cuisine. PIGG The expanded Umami Burger site ing the pleasant and savoury taste at Umamicatessen is a tribute to all at Umamicatessen, like its fi ve other imparted by glutamate, a type of things pork around the world, explor- locations, is conceived as a “fi ne-din- amino acid found naturally in kombu ing different manifestations of pork ing fast food” experience, offering (a type of seaweed).

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 45 RESTAURANTS

Eataly

illed as the largest artisanal Italian food and wine market- place in the world, Eataly is a concept that allows diners toB eat their way around Italy – with- out leaving New York City. Opened in August 2010, Eataly NYC is a collabo- ration between Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich of B&B Hospitality, and Oscar Farinetti, the founder of Eataly, which first opened in Turin, Italy in 2007. The popular New York outpost has grown to be a magnet for Italophiles and food lovers everywhere. Covering a vast 42,500sq ft, Eataly is located in the Flatiron district in a former his- toric toy factory, and houses seven ■ Eataly is structured around specialised sales areas, including cheese and cured meats full-service restaurants, a café, wine shop, bakery and patisserie, as well as a culinary education centre. The Produce which represents "quality, sustainability marketplace also offers a vast vari- ety of cured meats, cheeses, fruits and responsibility" is core to the Eataly brand and vegetables, fresh meats and fish, handmade pastas, desserts, baked goods, coffees and teas, as well as a Eataly restaurants include Le Verdure select the highest quality pigs and to selection of homeware and books. In (vegetarian), Il Manzo (meat), Il Pesce Michigan for succulent lamb. the summer of 2011, the owners also (fish), La Pasta (pasta), La Pizza Italian gelato and pastries are opened a rooftop craft brewery and (pizza), I Salumi e I Formaggi (salumi made fresh daily by Luca Montersino, restaurant – La Birreria – which spans and cheese), and Il Crudo (raw bar). Eataly’s pastry chef, while visitors to 4,500sq ft and offers site-brewed The company goes to great lengths Eataly’s Il Laboratorio della Mozzarella beers and al fresco dining. to ensure the highest quality sourc- can watch as mozzarella is handmade Artisanal products which represent ing. Food specialists have travelled by specialists trained in Puglia. the finest in “quality, sustainability, to Montana to source Eataly’s Razza Three leading brewmasters from the affordability and responsibility” are Piemontese (cattle breed), to Kansas US and Italy have worked with Eataly’s core to the Eataly brand. The seven for the finest Angus, to Iowa to owners to create three brews exclusive to the more recently opened La Birreria. Copper-clad brewing tanks are set 30 feet from where diners sit under the New York skyline and, in a break from Eataly’s tradition, hearty German and Austrian style food is served. The three exclusive brews are cask-conditioned, unpasteurised and unfiltered and com- prise a peppercorn wheat beer, thyme pale ale and mild chestnut ale. B&B Hospitality has also made edu- cation a core focus with the on-site cookery school – La Scualo – offering a wide variety of classes led by Eataly chefs and visiting chefs, winemakers, brewmasters, artisan food producers and authors. Classes offered at La Scualo are said to go beyond cooking to focus on the “nutritional, sociologi- ■ Rooftop restaurant La Birreria offers beer and German and Austrian-style food cal and scientific” aspects of food."

46 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ■ Customers choose what they want from the 'food boat' and then pay for their food by weight Tibits

espite the vast array of res- to reinvent itself and offers a modern, Switzerland and a first international taurants in the UK capital, interactive space with cool design and a site in central London (a second site the choice for vegetarian busy social calendar. The site in Zurich briefly opened at Westfield in West dining is still limited. now offers a cookery school, lounge London but then closed). DOne distinctive brand that has bar, nightclub and healthy takeaway. Frei says that while the brand did not been slowly making its mark in cen- Reto Frei and his two brothers fit in the shopping centre environment, tral London is the Swiss-owned Tibits Christian and Daniel entered the the Heddon Street restaurant has grad- vegetarian restaurant in Heddon picture in 1998 when they won a ually built up a regular following, from Street, which opened in October prestigious business competition in office workers to theatre-goers to a 2008. Co-owner Reto Frei says celebrity clientele including Bianca that it has taken time to build up Jagger and Stella McCartney. the business, but there is now a "We are not driven by The restaurant features a strong following among health-con- large food boat, where diners scious diners, and the company is shareholders, we're driven select what they want and pay by currently looking for a second suit- by quality. We want to weight.“It makes the food choice able London location. very accessible and uncompli- The origins of the Tibits story grow sustainably" cated,” says Frei. goes back over a century, to 1898, Although not brought up as veg- when Bavarian Ambrosius Hiltl etarians, Frei and his two brothers had to give up his job as a tailor due Switzerland with their concept for a have all chosen a vegetarian path for to ill health and decided to open a stylish vegetarian restaurant serving ethical reasons and are passionate vegetarian restaurant. Seen as both delicious, freshly prepared vegetar- about taking the brand forward. an eccentric and a pioneer, Hiltl had ian food from early morning to late Frei says: “We are not driven by cured himself of his ill health with his evening. The award caught the atten- shareholders, we’re driven by quality. meat-free diet and was on a mission tion of Rolf Hiltl and his wife Marielle We want to grow sustainably. to convince others. Four generations and not long after a partnership was “The brand is now attracting a lot later, Hiltl in Zurich is being run by his formed between the five to develop a of attention from countries as diverse great grandson Rolf Hiltl and is now new vegetarian concept for the 21st as France and Germany, Brazil and Europe’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. century. The result was Tibits, with Austria, but for the moment our focus Far from being stuck in its past tra- the first site opening in Zurich in 2000 in on a second site in London, possibly ditions, the restaurant has continued followed by another three sites in around Covent Garden.” ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 47 SPORT

SPORTING CHANCE Despite the doubters, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a massive success for South Africa. Almost two years on, Professor Terry Stevens looks at the World Cup legacy and finds out how the country is capitalising on its success

efore 2010, South Since the early 1990s, South Africa Africa already had a has used its sporting credentials to good track record in attract major sporting events as a hosting major sporting strategy for developing tourism. events, including the The 1995 Rugby World Cup was fol- 1995B Rugby World Cup and the African lowed by the hosting of the African Cup of Nations in 1996. The success- Cup of Nations a year later. 2004, ful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup the year South Africa won the right really strengthened its reputation as a to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, global destination for sporting events was the year Cape Town had hoped though, and added momentum to the to be the host city for the Olympics. The vuvuzela became the development of tourism, especially Providing the temporary ‘home’ for soundtrack to the 2010 FIFA sports tourism, across the country. the Indian Premier League (IPL) during World Cup in South Africa The fi rst World Cup to be held in the domestic crisis in the Indian Sub- Africa was widely seen as a huge suc- Continent was a particularly interesting cess, and ambitions and aspirations and innovative move. are now high. Will South Africa bid to The 2010 FIFA World Cup and the host the 2020 or 2024 Olympics? Will IPL cricket highlighted the ability of between sport and tourism within a the country be the fi rst on the African sport to capture new tourism markets. national framework for growing sports continent to attract Formula 1? And The appeal of soccer to consumers in tourism in a proactive and sustainable what of the legacy? How will the coun- Brazil, Russia, India, and China was way for the next 20 years. try build on the success of the event clear from the analysis of the 32bn tel- and use it to boost tourism and attract evision audiences for the World Cup, The effects of the World Cup further major sporting events? whilst the IPL fi nals perfectly targeted The incentive to take this bold, the Indian and – to a lesser extent – focused approach is fuelled by the Using sport to boost tourism the Australasian markets. measured success of the 2010 FIFA The new Tourism Strategy for South The country is now re-organising World Cup; an event that changed the Africa for 2012-2020 predicts dou- its sports federations to maximise country in many ways. After the World ble digit annual growth, more than the potential to bid for a whole raft of Cup, South African tourism minister doubling the value of tourism from international events. Professor Paul Marthinus van Schalkwyk said: “2010 R190bn (£15.8bn) today to some Singh, chief director of Client Services was never about just hosting a tour- R500bn (£41.5bn) in eight years time. at Sport and Recreation South Africa nament but about building a legacy At the heart of this strategy resides – the national government department for our country and our continent. We, the continued use of bidding for, and responsible for sport in South Africa – as South Africans, believed, and the hosting, major sporting events. is overseeing the closer collaboration world came to believe with us.”

48 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The boost to tourism was "Africa proved to the world that we can deliver excellence clearly evident. The World Cup attracted 310,000 inter- on time and in budget. Western Cape did its bit for national tourists, who spent a total of R3.64bn (£300m) sustaining the vision of what we can be as a country" in the country. Tourists visit- ing South Africa specifi cally for the event stayed longer (an aver- ing the World Cup closely refl ected (9,000) and Germany (8,500) with 13 age of 10.3 days) and spent more than the geography of the 32 participat- per cent from Central/South America other tourists. The average spend per ing teams; there was, however, a and 12 per cent from North America. person during their stay was R11,800 signifi cant representation of tourists Research by national tourism (£987) with 30 per cent of this being from near neighbour African coun- organisation South African Tourism spent on shopping, 20 per cent on tries. Over one third of all international has shown that the majority of the accommodation, 19 per cent on food tourists were from African countries 310,000 international tourists whose and drink, 16 per cent on leisure and (especially Mozambique, Swaziland primary reason for visiting was the 11 per cent on transportation. and Botswana) whilst 24 per cent World Cup had very positive experi- The origins of the international were from European countries, nota- ences. Almost 70 per cent thought tourists visiting South Africa dur- bly England (24,000), Netherlands that South Africa was a great host

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 49 SPORT

country, and over a half of those who had attended previous World Cups said that South Africa was a better host than the other host nations they had visited. Ninety per cent of interna- tional tourists visiting the country for the World Cup said that they planned to return to South Africa. The 2010 World Cup took place in nine cities with Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town being the most popular with international tourists. For Durban and Cape Town, already major centres of leisure tourism, the event has fur- ther bolstered their market awareness, The World Cup attracted 310,000 stimulated investment in major infra- international visitors. They spent structure projects and encouraged the £300m in the country development of new tourism products including hotels, restaurants, enter- tainment facilities and stadia. The total investment in stadia by the recruited and trained for the World South African government and the pro- Cup, with 1,600 media encamped in vincial governments totalled R8.4bn the city. There was unprecedented lev- (£700m), over half of the R17.4bn els of cooperation across all aspects (£1.4bn) total investment necessary of city life and governance. to host the World Cup. Five new stadia were constructed for the event (at Cape The legacies behind the headlines Town, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, In July 2011, the Western Cape provin- Mbombela and Pokowane) while fi ve cial government hosted the Sports & Members of the public in existing stadia were upgraded (two in Events Tourism Exchange Conference Johannesburg take part in the Johannesberg, at Tshwane, Rustenberg in Cape Town with the main theme 'diski dance' – the offi cial dance and at Mangaung). being an examination of the legacy for the 2010 FIFA World Cup In the words of Helen Zille, pre- and the lessons learned from the miere of the Western Cape province 2010 FIFA World Cup. The aim of the whose government invested more than conference was to look at ways of R13bn (£1.1bn) in making Cape Town building on the success of the event in suggest that middle classes (both one of the host cities and constructed order to attract more global sporting white and black) did well from the event the new Green Point Stadium: “Africa events and grow international sports yet poorer communities gained little. In proved to the world that we can deliver tourism. The aim was also to ensure addition, the event was city-focused; excellence, on time and in budget. Our that the tangible and intangible bene- urban South Africa – specifi cally down- province did its bit for nation-building fi ts of the World Cup were understood town commercial areas – did well, while and sustaining the vision of what we and critically evaluated. the suburbs and rural areas secured can be as a country.” For some at the conference, the jury little real uplift. Also, while global spon- Cape Town attracted over 500,000 was still out on whether the World Cup sors and corporate activity took place spectators to the 25 matches at was truly a success for South Africa. around the event, much of the real Green Point, 580,000 people under- FIFA estimates that the event gener- benefi ts for these organisations was took the iconic ‘Fans’ Walk’ and ated more than $4.2bn (£2.65bn) in gained outside Africa. 560,000 took part in the various fans revenues yet the host country reaped For the majority of speakers, how- fests. The city saw 19,000 volunteers just $520m (£328m); internal reports ever, there was an overriding sense of collective positive achievements. Marketeers, for example, spoke of the changing perceptions and rela- "Perhaps"Perhaps we should reflrefl ect on how much tionships between tourists and the can be achieved when skilled and dedicated destinations they visited. World Cup tourists and the media become emo- teams of people are prepared to overcome tionally connected to the country and the host cities. Initial fears associated all obstacles to achieve a gogoal" with fragile security and safety issues

50 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 were disabused. The media focused on effective policing and traffic manage- International tourist arrivals continue the sense of place, the conviviality, and ment systems introduced. to grow. New global events will be the passion of South Africans. Plaudits Others celebrated the creation of attracted to this tip of Africa – Cape and praise flowed. The press reported more than 2,000 new jobs in road con- Town has already secured the right to on the seamless cooperation and gen- struction alone, the improvements be the World Capital of Design in 2014. uine hospitality of the host nation. made to the Cape Town International Lets leave the last word to Dr Sports development and commu- Airport by Airports Company South Laurine Platzky, editor of Capeability nity specialists referred to the success Africa, enhanced city design and pub- and the Western Cape deputy direc- ‘beyond the stadia’ especially seen lic art and stimulation of new business tor general of Provincial Strategic in strategies using the World Cup to start-ups and entrepreneurial activity. Management. “Arguments that the bil- invest in rural and township sports Stories and successes abound (for lions spent on the World Cup could facilities. These included the crea- more details read Capeability by the and should have been better spent on tion of new soccer pitches through the Western Cape provincial government schools, houses and clinics are valid," Dreamfields programme, the devel- – an excellent account of the Western says Platzky. "But without the focus of opment of grassroots soccer, the Cape’s experience of the 2010 FIFA a mega event, would the money have establishment of 20 Football for Hope World Cup). Equally, there will always been used to educate our children, Centres in highly disadvantaged areas be dissenting voices. Entering this feed the hungry or restructure our and the innovative ‘whisper balls’ cre- competitive environment, successfully city? Perhaps it would be more prof- ated especially for deaf footballers. delivering on promises made and man- itable to reflect on how much can be Health specialists referenced the aging the legacies are always going to achieved when skilled and dedicated improved health facilities and skills be challenging for any host nation. teams of people, driven by intense of medical teams.Safety and secu- South Africa did deliver. The world political will, are prepared to overcome rity services were also improved and changed its perspective on the country. all obstacles to achieve a goal.” ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 51 PLAY sense of achievement When a mother decided to address the need for a sensory play centre for disabled children in Liverpool, she didn’t let her lack of business experience stop her. Magali Robathan finds out how Jake’s Sensory World took shape

hen Jake’s Sensory World new Netherton Activity Centre (NAC), came about because there is hardly opened in Netherton, which opened in January 2012. NAC any provision for play in the area suita- W Liverpool, at the end of features a range of leisure facilities ble for disabled children,” says Jo Hall. February 2012, it marked the culmina- under one roof, including a sports hall, The family often travelled to a sensory tion of several years fundraising, and a library, grass and synthetic pitches, a play centre in Preston, called Space, a lucky collision of Sefton Council’s dance studio, health referral suites, an but it meant a long journey and only aims and one mother’s desire to open IT suite and a crèche. part of the facility was accessible by a centre for her 11-year-old son and a ceiling track hoist, making the rest other disabled children to use. BIRTH OF AN IDEA out of bounds for Jake and other chil- The centre, which cost £480,000 to The idea for Jake’s Sensory World dren like him. “We wished there was create, has a sensory room featuring was born five years ago. Mothers Jo somewhere in the area that was fully bubble tubes, UV lighting, a water bed, Hall and Ruth Garrett met when their accessible for Jake, that his family and fibre optics and projectors and a large respective children, Jake and Kady, friends could enjoy too,” says Hall. ball pool. It also has a soft play room were babies. It gradually became Hall and Garrett formed a steering with interactive tunnels, interactive tac- apparent that Jake was developing group to look into setting up a sen- tile walls, hopscotch floor panels and at a different pace, and when he was sory play centre in the Sefton Park musical steps. a year old, it was confirmed that he area of Liverpool. The pair applied for All areas of the play facility are had a rare neurotransmitter disease. funding from various bodies, and got accessible via a ceiling track hoist, This left him with complex needs, and start up funding of £5,000 from both and it has two disabled toilets/chang- meant that it was very difficult to find the Merseyside Disability Federation ing rooms with hydraulic changing leisure activities to suit the whole fam- and voluntary sector infrastructure beds and ceiling hoists. ily – he has an older sister, Lois. organisation Merseyside Expanding Jake's Sensory World is part of the “The idea for Jake’s Sensory World Horizons. They then carried out exten- sive market research, which identified a real need for a new play facility for disabled children in the area. The charity, Jake’s Sensory World, was set up four years ago, and applied for the necessary £500,000 in funding from Children in Need, Big Lottery, the Baily Thomas Foundation and the Cloth Workers' Foundation. Although they got through to the last round in sev- eral of their applications, and the Baily Thomas Foundation pledged £30,000, Hall and Garrett didn’t manage to secure the funding they needed. At this point, Hall admits that she began to doubt whether the facility would ever open. Hall and Garrett had a “last ditch attempt, writing to every MP and councillor that had anything to do with Sefton." In early 2009, Peter Dowd, deputy leader of Sefton Council and cabinet minister for Children’s Services, said he was interested in Jake with Jo Hall and Ruth Garrett (left); Children enjoying the fibre optic curtains (right) the idea and wanted to meet them.

52 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ■ Staff can look after the children, allowing parents to use the facilities at NAC

VISITING JAKE’S SENSORY WORLD can be hired for £60 for 90 minutes for Sefton residents, or £80 for Jake’s Sensory World is open to children with disabilities and their non Sefton residents. friends and siblings. All ages and abilities are welcome. Parents and Jake’s Sensory World is part of the new Netherton Activity Centre, carers can visit with their child as part of a pay and play session, or which opened in January 2012. As well as the sensory centre, it they can book the whole facility for private use or for birthday parties. includes a sports hall, a dance/activity studio, an Active Sefton fit- Prices range from £4.00 for a 90 minute session for under-5s to ness suite, a crèche, meeting rooms, an IT suite, a library, health £5.00 for 12+, with one carer per child going free. The whole centre referral suites, two synthetic turf pitches and grass pitches.

“Peter Dowd said he loved the idea gramme, and space was allocated ble tube, using colour-changing fibre and that he’d been getting feedback within NAC for the sensory play facility. optics. We also decided to include an from the parent consultation days the interactive wall, so that large images council had been holding that this type THE DESIGN can be projected onto it. This acts as of facility was urgently needed,” says For the past year, the team has been a multi-sensory theatre, and means Hall. “He asked whether we’d be happy working constantly on the design of that we can customise the room.” to work in partnership with Sefton the centre and an independent project An Omni-Vista projection system Council, and how we’d feel about manager, Lesley Knight, was brought was used, with a Solar 250 projector. opening as part of the new Netherton on board to help with this. Other features of the centre include a Activity Centre, instead of as a stan- From the start Hall and Garrett were Jellyfish Fountain, with dozens of spar- dalone centre. As far as we were adamant that the centre should offer kling, colour-changing fibre optics; concerned, that was even better, as it something new in terms of sensory bubble columns; interactive Ladder meant it would be an inclusive facility, soft play provision. Lights, with different coloured 'rungs' and families and siblings could use the “Most disabled children have access and masks; a waterbed; aroma diffus- other facilities on offer at NAC. to a sensory room and soft play room ers and oils; fibre optic curtains; and a “We were happy to hand over the through their schools or nurseries, but ball pool with colour changing floor. work we’d done up to that point. The these can be quite repetitive," says Seeing the centre open, says Hall, council was very impressed, and Hall. "We wanted to create something was amazing. "It was a dream that asked us to come on board and be fully interactive, while still incorpo- became a reality. Our children have part of the planning team.” rating the old favourites that all the always had to fit in and make do. To Sefton Council managed to secure children love, such as the bubble finally have somewhere that is fully capital funding from the government's tubes. We added a Fiesta Tube, which inclusive and tailor made to suit their Aiming High for Disabled Children pro- is a waterless version of the bub- needs is the best feeling ever.” ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 53 RESEARCH

STUDYING HEALTH Improving men’s health and tackling childhood obesity are high on the agenda at Leeds Metropolitan University’s newly-launched Health and Wellbeing Institute. Julie Cramer speaks to Institute director Richard Hogston

Why did Leeds Metropolitan University What is the Institute’s focus? Other projects we’re involved in decide to launch the Health and Leeds Metropolitan University’s include research in collaboration with Wellbeing Institute? research foundations and strengths Natural England on the health ben- One of our key strengths is that our are rooted in the practical implications efits of befriending schemes for the research is rooted in finding solutions of research – ie ‘the doing’ – and the elderly. We also have a long history of that will have a real impact on com- impact that research has on communi- research in the areas of prison health, munities and businesses. Creating ties, which will be nurtured through our nutrition and childhood obesity. the Health and Wellbeing Institute has work here at the Institute. We are much more focused on com- brought together a range of related We’ve always ensured our research munity-based work rather than on disciplines and made it easier for us focus is outward-facing into the com- laboratory work and clinical trials. all to work together and to generate munity, as opposed to us being a and apply our research to even higher group of unknown academics who are How many projects is the Institute levels of excellence. never seen outside the university. involved in at any one time? We formally launched the Institute We would normally have around 20 in November 2011, with the back- What kind of projects do you research projects going on at a time, ing of Professor Mike Kelly, director at undertake? both at a local and a national level. the National Institute for health and One local project involved a health We recently secured a big bid to look Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Dame campaign with Leeds Rhinos rugby at the effects and cost effectiveness Carol Black, the first national direc- club and the Department of Health at of peer-based interventions to fos- tor for Health and Work. Both of those Headingley Stadium. Health MOTs and ter and improve offender health in UK endorsements were very positive in obesity checks were offered to thou- prisons, for example. what we’re trying to achieve. sands of fans on match days during A major study, The State of Men’s the rugby season. This is a key way our Health in Europe, was completed last What are your target research areas? research into health – and particularly summer, bringing together the offi- The Institute has six distinct yet men’s health in this instance – can cial epidemiological data from across related research themes: healthy com- make a difference in the community. Europe. It was led by Leeds Met’s munities; health promotion; men’s We’ve also been involved with a Professor Alan White and funded by health; men, gender and wellbeing; similar project for several years pro- the European Union and it attracted a nutrition and childhood obesity; and moting men’s health at Premier League significant amount of coverage. pain science and management. Each football clubs (see p56), and have pub- But we don’t just look at national theme is led by a professor. lished some findings related to that. projects – closer to home we’re work-

The Institute reaches out to men through sports clubs Professor Alan White

54 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The Institute carries out research into the health of individuals and communities

We’ve really got to find more ways to reach men and women in their workplace and in places where they spend their leisure time and socialise ing with the Hamara Healthy Living Another key task is external network- 13 years longer if you live in Weatherby Centre in Leeds, which caters for black ing with partners locally, nationally and [a relatively affl uent area] as opposed and ethnic minority communities, and internationally. I also act as a director to Harehills [a more deprived area]. Wakefi eld Council on a project which of research for the whole of the fac- Another big killer is mental health, looks at area working, and a project in ulty – the Institute is just one part of which is still a taboo. The number Bradford looking at the links between the university’s health research work, of suicides is on the increase, but if breastfeeding and obesity. which involves around 250 staff. someone has been to see their GP they are less likely to kill themselves. How are you funded? What is your background? Also, as a result of our work with Most of the funding comes from grants I am still a registered nurse, and have men’s health and the Premier League that we bid for. Some of our work is worked in Accident and Emergency we’re considering exploring how funded by the university – but of course and gastro-surgery. From there I went stress and depression is managed higher education is changing and an into nurse teaching in the late 1990s within sport – something that the inevitable reduction in undergraduate for two years before being headhunted recent death of Wales manager Gary students as a result of government pol- by the Department of Health as nurs- Speed has highlighted. icy changes will mean that income to ing offi cer for education and training in support teaching is going to reduce. Leeds. From there I became dean of What do you see as the way forward? It’s a competitive environment out faculty in social care at Hull University There’s a big challenge around how there, but we’ve worked hard to forge before returning to Leeds to become we’re going to tackle the public health links with government offi ces and dean of faculty of health at Leeds Met agenda. So many interventions can healthcare bodies locally and nation- and now the director of our Institute. be undertaken at a local and national ally and will continue to do so. level, but I’m not sure the resources Also, the fact that our work is so vis- What do you see as the main health are there at the moment. ible within the community makes us and wellbeing challenges in the UK? Take GP surgeries, which are tradi- more attractive to potential funding Clearly we have the epidemics, like tionally open in the day from Monday communities and partners. obesity and coronary heart disease, to Friday, meaning that people have to which are not getting any better. take time off work to visit them. What is your day-to-day There is a big gender element in rela- We’ve really got to fi nd more ways role at the Institute? tion to death rates, and many of to reach men and women in the work- My role as director is to ensure that those deaths are preventable, but so place and also places where they the Institute grows, and that it grows much more needs to be done. spend their leisure time and socialise, in relation to funding – funding is very Men’s health is pretty bad. We know and start to deliver health and well- important to our survival. that in Leeds, you’ll live an average of ness services in a different way.

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 55 RESEARCH TARGETING MEN’S HEALTH THROUGH SPORT PREMIER LEAGUE HEALTH

collaboration between Leeds is funded by the Football Pools and Metropolitan University’s aims to improve the health of men ACentre for Men’s Health and aged 18-35 years through a range of the Carnegie Research Institute, activities delivered within a football Premier League Health is a national context. Jim McKenna, Professor of programme of men’s health delivered Physical Activity and Health at Leeds through 16 Premier League football Metropolitan University, answers clubs. The three-year programme some questions about the project:

What does the Premier League Health ticipants with a means of receiving programme consist of? support with lifestyle issues. However Activities are led by staff trained the impact of the programme tends to PHOTO ©SHUTTERSTOCK/ RTIMAGES PHOTO ©SHUTTERSTOCK/ in health enhancement who are be much broader than improvements employed by the clubs. Activities in areas such as weight and blood include awareness-raising events pressure. The programmes run by on match days for supporters, pro- clubs such as Manchester United aim A final report into grammes of weekly activities and to help unemployed men get back into the Premier League sustained outreach work with groups work, for example. Health programme of local men. One element of the pro- will be published by gramme at Newcastle United involves Is it only supporters of the football the end of 2012 linking with men from the South Asian clubs involved who take part? community in Newcastle’s west end, No, a quarter of the men were not partners, including PCTs, who pro- in particular men employed in the fans of the club where they attended vide opportunities for onward referral fast food takeaway and taxi indus- the interventions. This emphasises to specialist health services. The pro- tries. Knowing that this group of men the broader reach of football in con- gramme provided an opportunity for has a heightened risk of cardiovascu- necting with men on health issues. some men to confirm their health sta- lar disease, health trainers run a local tus and validate going to see their GP programme of badminton supported What are the strongest before it was too late. with health advice delivered in local features of the programme? community venues. To fit in with the Our research found that tailoring activi- What are the wider implications for work routines of these men, sessions ties to the needs of men is important. the leisure industry? are run between midnight and 2am. The oldest participant is 75 and Sporting and leisure contexts pro- attends the programme at Fulham. For vide an alternative channel to reach What is so good about delivering this gentleman, playing football was men with health interventions. Sports health activities through football clubs? not appropriate, so the staff prepared clubs, spectator sports and venues Initial findings show that Premier a programme of physical activity that such as comedy clubs offer an infor- League Health (PLH) provides an infor- was more suitable for him. mal setting. Interventions can be mal and supportive environment to All of the clubs are able to offer accessed in social groups; this helps engage men, including those not meet- examples of men who have engaged remove some of the perceived risk ing health guidelines and not likely the programme and flourished. An associated with engagement. to visit their GP. Our research found important ingredient is the ability Given that social support is an that fewer than 20 per cent of men of health trainers and staff deliver- important element of changing health reported taking part in sufficient phys- ing the programme to listen, plan and behaviours, leisure settings provide ical activity to benefit health, while cater for men with diverse needs. an arena where interventions may be over a quarter smoked and almost Staff are not only helping men with developed. Activities delivered in a half exceeded recommended limits poor health, but also those impacted community environment at times which for alcohol consumption. Fewer than by unemployment, family breakdown are more convenient may be more 10 per cent visited their GP regularly, and substance use. Programmes are appealing to some men than tradi- so taking part in PLH provided par- delivered in collaboration with local tional healthcare environments. ●

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ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 57 HEALTH & FITNESS from madonna and russia with love....

he recipe for Hard Candy DONNA GREGORY REVIEWS THE NEWEST HARD CANDY Fitness Moscow: take one world famous superstar FITNESS CLUB, RECENTLY OPENED IN MOSCOW, RUSSIA T and combine with a global health, wellness and fitness company, and Sweet tour to the country, and Once members have been greeted in conjunction with the woman who’s asked the NeV team early on to focus at the stylish reception area, com- widely reputed to have brought fitness their attention on finding locations for plete with eight TV screens featuring to Russia. The result: a unique health Hard Candy Fitness in Russia,” says a selection of Madonna videos, they club that’s firmly becoming a Red NeV chair Mark Mastrov. have the option of popping in to the Square attraction in its own right. Hard Candy juice bar on the same Opened in December 2011, Hard MADONNA’S INFLUENCE floor. Awash with colour thanks to the Candy Fitness Moscow is the second The 3,500 sq m (37,670sq ft) four-floor chair coverings – with their swirling collaboration between Madonna, her club is housed in an old mansion house patterns of pinks, yellows and oranges manager Guy Oseary and US-based in the historical centre of Moscow, near – it instantly makes you think of all New Evolution Ventures (NeV); the first Red Square, and combines the gran- things sweet. The bar menu, devel- Hard Candy Fitness club opened in deur of old downtown architecture with oped by popular Moscow restaurateur Mexico City in November 2010. contemporary design and interiors. Alexander Orlov, includes healthy For their first Russian venture, the Thomas Sandell, principal architect for meals, fruit and herbal teas Hard Candy Fitness team has chosen the project and co-founder of Swedish and fruit cocktails. to work with Russian fitness pio- design company Sandellsandberg, Still on the first floor, we come to neer Irina Razumova, founder of the admitted that his main challenge was the women’s changing rooms – deco- Russian chain Planet Fitness and the marrying the traditional interior with the rated in shades of peach with mosaic woman who led the opening of the very contemporary design. tiles – which include a vanity area, first fitness centre in the USSR in St But as Mastrov explains, Madonna showers and women’s sauna, as well Petersburg in 1989. Razumova is gen- also had input into the creation of as access to the pool. eral director of the new Hard Candy the club from the very beginning. The pool area is a mix of industrial Fitness site, charged with overseeing “From design to branding to program- chic – metal and the colour grey fea- operations at the club. ming and layout, Madonna has been ture heavily here – and cutting-edge So, why Russia for the second Hard involved in the process, reflecting her design: part of the roof area is glass, Candy Fitness opening? “Madonna point of view on what the ideal exer- which continues down the outside has had a strong affiliation with cise, dance and workout environment wall, supported by a lattice-style metal Russia ever since she took her Sticky should look like,” he says. framework. You almost feel as if you

The men’s changing rooms (left) and the club swimming pool (right), which features a 'chic industrial' design

58 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 In vogue: Madonna’s stamp is everywhere, from interior design to classes

HARD CANDY FITNESS MOSCOW: THE STATS

LOCATION Hard Candy Fitness Moscow, B.Kislovskiy per 9, Moscow, Russia 125009

ANNUAL FEES Adult annual membership – 12 years and over: 160,000 Rbls (£3,362) Corporate membership is available for groups of fi ve or more: 120,000 Rbls (£2,521) Children’s membership is available from the age of six – 12: 36,000 Rbls (£755), but each session must be supported by a personal trainer at an additional cost Crèche for kids aged three to fi ve: 60,000 Rbls (£1,258) The juice bar is designed in bright ‘candy’ colours are outside, yet protected from the felt with two corridors dominated by FITNESS PROGRAMMING elements. The use of emerald green very different images – one featuring a The concept behind Hard Candy Fitness brings warmth to the space, and the series of Andy Warhol-inspired pictures comes from a belief that Harder is fl oor-to-ceiling glass-fronted pool bal- of the pop icon, with the other featuring Better™, and the clubs are designed as cony is a stylish touch. After a swim a more traditional black and white shot. places to work out hard – but also to you can try out the steamroom, which The second fl oor is home to a tra- relax in luxury, with full-service ameni- is located in the pool area. ditional Russian sauna – known as a ties. They are also unique in their focus Madonna is waiting to greet you on banya – as well as the men’s changing on personal fi tness through proprietary the second fl oor. Well, not literally of rooms, a STOTT PILATES studio and a group training programmes. The clubs, course, but her presence is certainly group exercise room. programmes and vision are inspired by

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 59 NEWHEALTH OPENING & FITNESS

The 425sq m gym offers a wide range of equipment There are studios for cycling, boxing, dance and personal training

Madonna, and are brought to members soundtrack for these classes isn’t fessional dancer and choreographer by hand-picked Hard Candy Fitness exactly run of the mill, as Brent appearing on the American reality tele- trainers and staff. Leffel, NeV president, explains: vision series Dancing with the Stars. You get the full flavour of Hard “The music and sound is phenome- Candy’s approach to fitness when you nal. Hard Candy Fitness is leveraging FITNESS FOCUS check out its exercise programming. Madonna’s experience at the cutting Heading up to the third floor, Clearly the ‘Harder is Better’ mantra edge of music, partnering with top the hard work begins again in the underpins the group fitness classes. DJs to create the right atmosphere to 425sq m (4,575sq ft), well-equipped With names such as Addicted to motivate members and provide them gym. With more than 100 pieces of Sweat and Jaw Breaker, these car- with an inspiring experience that pro- strength kit from Precor and Hoist, dio and toning classes are not for the duces excellent results.” as well as cardio equipment from faint-hearted. Not only has Madonna Meanwhile, Hard Candy Fitness Precor, Oartec, Marpo Kinetics, influenced the movements, but much Moscow, along with Planet Fitness, Versaclimber and Concept2, this of it is inspired by the same choreog- recently became the first clubs in gym caters for every type of user. raphy and toning exercises used in Russia to launch LaBlast, a partner- Derek Burke, Precor sales director, her own fitness regime. free dance fitness programme created says: “From our experience in sup- And as you would expect, the by Louis Van Amstel, who is a pro- plying both New Mexico and Moscow, we know how innovative Hard Candy Fitness is as a brand – this new club’s FROM WORKING OUT TO CHILLING OUT offering is just as impressive as the inaugural centre in Mexico. From its THE GYM LOWDOWN: serious commitment to getting results N100 pieces of strength kit from for its members to its unique classes Hoist and Precor featuring movements designed by N41 pieces of CV equipment Madonna herself, Hard Candy Fitness including Precor AMTs, recumbent Moscow isn’t just another fitness cen- and upright bikes, treadmills and tre; it’s a whole different experience.” EFX elliptical cross-trainers “The Hard Candy Fitness brand NVersaclimbers The club has four spa treatment rooms encompasses all facets of training, NVMX Multi-Mode Rope Climbers from cardio to weight training, and from Marpo Kinetics SPA TREATMENTS: from functional fitness techniques NOartec Slider rowing machines NAyurvedic treatments: Ayurvedic to group fitness programming. Hard NConcept2 ski machines lifestyle consultation including Candy Fitness welcomes all fitness NTRX Suspension Trainers pulse diagnosis, Abhyanga warm oil levels and provides members with the massage, Marma points massage, most innovative and unique training THE SPA LOWDOWN: Shirodhara anti-stress warm oil equipment and programming availa- NFour treatment rooms treatment, Udvarthanam herbal ble,” adds Leffel. NRelaxation lounge with a selection powder slimming massage As part of the club’s ethos of all- of herbal teas NShiatsu and yoga massage round fitness training, there are NHard Candy Spa boutique selling NChinese acupressure separate studios for cycling, dance, a wide range of cosmetics and NTibetan acupuncture and massage boxing and personal training, all situ- beauty accessories NManicure, pedicure, foot massage ated on the fourth floor. There’s also a mind-body studio – equipped for

60 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The spa offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments Thomas Sandell was principal architect on the project

“HARD CANDY FITNESS WOULDN’T BE A SUCCESS WITHOUT MADONNA’S CONTINUED PASSION AND COMMITMENT TO THE BRAND"

members to practise bar work, body ment, but only with us do members team currently exploring Italy, the UK, sculpting and the latest trends in yoga. receive very personal attention, which Canada, France, Australia, Argentina To help support members through is so important to help them fulfil their and Brazil as possible locations. The this intensive training, the club offers personal fitness goals, achieve mental team has a two-model approach: a ‘Fitness Concierge Service’, which balance and relaxation. building new clubs from the ground includes a personal fitness pro- “Our staff are trained to present the up; or converting existing locations in gramme supervisor for every member. highest level of professionalism when conjunction with talented operators, This supervisor will devise an indi- it comes to fitness training, but also investing alongside them to rebrand vidualised programme for members to make members fall in love with the an existing facility. that includes a workout plan as well club and long for their next visit.” “The Hard Candy Fitness model as nutritional advice. The emphasis will evolve with our first five to 10 is on continued support, with super- THE FUTURE locations. While there will be brand visors reviewing clients every three Later this year, Russia will get its consistencies, certain components months. There is also a club doctor, second Hard Candy Fitness – in St such as design, services and amen- who members can visit for a health Petersburg – and, as with Moscow, ities may change based on the assessment and for diet advice. Razumova will be at the helm. Mastrov particular location of the club and and Razumova have a long-standing the culture of that country or region. STRIKING A BALANCE working relationship and friendship. However, each Hard Candy Fitness will However, although Hard Candy Fitness Mastrov says: “As one of the founders have a structure to ensure a fresh, Moscow firmly believes in work- of the modern Russian fitness move- energising experience no matter where ing hard, it also provides members ment, Razumova is one of the best it’s located,” explains Mastrov. with the chance to relax and enjoy a fitness operators in the world.” He continues: “When it comes to bit of pampering. The club’s Orient Going forward, the strategy of launching a brand with one of the most Express spa offers a full range of treat- locating Hard Candy Fitness clubs in renowned celebrities, you couldn’t ask ments including Ayurvedic massage. upmarket residential areas will con- for a better partner than Madonna. Members even get their own spa coun- tinue. Natalia Kryuchkova, head of Whether it’s her hands-on involve- sellor, who can provide personalised marketing for Hard Candy Fitness ment or undeniable star power, Hard recommendations and advice. Russia, explains the rationale. “We Candy Fitness wouldn’t be as success- With such a good balance on look for strong demographics with high ful without her continued passion and offer between high quality workouts household income in cities where peo- commitment to the brand.” and relaxation, Hard Candy Fitness ple will be able to afford a slightly With Hard Candy Fitness possibly Moscow is already proving popular. higher price point," she says. "The coming to a city near you in the future “Hard Candy Fitness Moscow brings a intention is to create a business with – if you’re looking for a fitness club very personal approach to every cus- high-end clubs in the best corners of where you can work out hard, experi- tomer’s wishes,” says Razumova. “In the best cities in the world.” ence unique classes inspired by one of my opinion, what people generally lack The world certainly seems to be the world’s most famous entertainers is attention. There may be clubs with Hard Candy Fitness’ oyster where and relax in luxury – then Hard Candy interesting design and good equip- new openings are concerned, with the Fitness certainly won’t disappoint. ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 61 ENERGY CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE

Over the next few editions we’ll be looking at energy-related issues from utility procurement to renewable products. This issue, The Energy Desk’s managing director Ian Edwards takes a look at the best way of getting credit to pay for energy use

he global financial down- two- to five-year terms and pay hefty turn affected all aspects deposits of three to six months to the of business and consumer utility company up front. T life, including the energy sector. This has been particularly POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FOR noticeable in relation to the issue of YOUR BUSINESS energy procurement. Your credit rating determines the Even an organisation with a high terms of your energy contract, includ- credit rating will wince at the prospect ing the tariff, deposit value and of a utility company’s credit check. If contract timeframe. If you're a new you haven't undergone one of these company, without historical accounts, The sport and leisure indus- credit checks yourself, you may ask you will have little or no credit rating. If try spends £700m per year on energy (Carbon Trust) why. For most the answer will undoubt- you have a high credit limit of £1m but edly be the same – the depth and your credit score from Experian falls detail of the credit check is incompa- below 51, your potential supplier will management of cashflow. rable to any other, and a poor credit probe into your accounts, and this has But providing energy is not without rating can pose a host of challenges become a common problem within the risk to the supplier. Utility compa- when it comes to purchasing energy. leisure and retail industry. Having a nies will buy your energy up front and Methods of energy procurement low credit rating will undoubtedly result your credit rating is the only factor have changed significantly over the in your business being tied into a con- that can indicate the risk you pose to past few years. An organisation was tract on a higher tariff. them. For example, a £500k spend once able to pay for the energy it With the UK sport and leisure on a three year contract adds up to used in arrears, but must now calcu- industry spending an estimated a £1.5m energy spend that the sup- late projected energy consumption, £700m every year on energy use, this plier will have to purchase up front. If sign contracts for anything from can present huge challenges with the you have a low credit rating, you will – in the eyes of the supplier – be at risk Sustainabilitylive! L 22-24 May 2012 LNEC Birmingham, UK of defaulting. Without a guarantee of payments, utility companies will risk At the heart of the Sustainabilitylive! Industry, WWF; Katie Chapman, taking on the financial burden should event is a three day conference, head of sustainability and report- you not use or pay for the energy they which will examine the corporate ing, Virgin Media; Eric Lounsbury, have invested in on your behalf. sustainability agenda in detail. Key strategy manager, Carbon Trust; and What’s more, if you are unable to topics to be discussed include water Peter Bragg, general manager of enter a contract with a utility com- efficiency, sustainability reporting, Environment and Energy at Eurostar. pany, you won't benefit from lower resource scarcity, supply chain man- The Environment Energy Awards, contract rates and your tariff could agement, employee engagement and which celebrate excellence and rocket to three or four times higher the CRC efficiency scheme. innovation from businesses and than the contract tariff. Speakers include Peter Madden, technology providers in the market, Consultants and purchasing con- CEO of Forum for the Future; Dax will take place on 22 May. sortiums are, of course, in a position Lovegrove, head of Business & Details: www.sustainabilitylive.com to speak to your utility provider on your behalf to negotiate the terms of

62 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 facility. Following analysis of CASE STUDY the building’s consumption COVENTRY SPORTS TRUST data, an energy reduction pro- posal was produced to outline n 2010, Coventry Sports Trust, the scope of works. which manages Coventry Sports Devising a bespoke solution, I and Leisure Centre, appointed the team carried out the scope Pureworld Technology Ltd (technology of works, decommissioning partner to The Energy Desk) to com- equipment that was identifi ed mission an energy reduction strategy as ineffi cient and retrofi tting to help achieve its target of saving upgrading technology where The energy reduction strategy is predicted to 12 per cent of the complex’s electric- effi ciency could be enhanced. result in annual savings of £83,160 ity, gas and water consumption. Integral to any energy reduc- With over 900,000 visits per year, tion plan is the installation of the nology to ensure the lighting is on Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre appropriate metering, which allows only when the facilities are in use. consumed an estimated 3,127,069 monitoring of consumption. An auto- A variety of water conservation kWh in 2010, equating to 1,679 matic meter reading system was measures were also implemented tonnes of CO2 emissions. introduced to provide accurate data. including Save-a-Flush bags in WC Built in 1966, Coventry Sports The scope of works included the cisterns, estimated to save 4,000 and Leisure Complex comprises two installation of a new building manage- litres of water annually. Upgraded complexes: one wet-side including ment system, optimising the facilities' water management controls including an Olympic size pool, leisure and boilers and air handling units. Variable aerated showers and the installation teaching pools, two gyms, two exer- speed drives were also installed onto of a water meter to monitor consump- cise studios, a health suite and a the site’s motors to control frequency tion helped further reduce water use. crèche; and a dry-side complex with and control electrical supply to its air As a result of these changes, the a 10-court hall, a bowls hall, squash conditioning systems. centre benefi ted from electricity sav- courts and changing rooms. Economical high frequency light- ing of 15.29 per cent, gas saving Pureworld Technology completed an ing was installed in the main sports of 11.3 per cent and water savings initial site survey of plant equipment hall, including dimmable settings and of 15.5 per cent, equating to a pre- to establish ineffi ciencies across the sophisticated absence detection tech- dicted annual saving of £83,160.

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 63 ENERGY

electricity supply to provide an opti- CASE STUDY mum supply voltage for the site's COTSWOLD LEISURE CENTRE equipment – can help lower carbon emissions and reduce energy costs, otswold District Council in the council asked EMSc (UK) Ltd to Gloucestershire is commit- complete a site survey to assess Cted to reducing its carbon whether voltage optimisation could footprint. The council’s carbon help it realise savings at the centre. A Powerstar voltage optimisation management plan, which aims to “On the whole, the National Grid unit helped reduce CO2 emissions reduce carbon emissions by 25 per supplies a higher voltage than is gen- cent before 2015, forms part of its erally required,” says EMSc (UK) Ltd demand is placed on equipment. Cleaner and Greener campaign, an managing director Dr Alex Mardapittas. EMSc (UK) Ltd determined that initiative geared towards reducing “Although the nominal voltage in the the centre could realise substantial the council’s overall environmental UK is 230V, the average delivered savings by implementing voltage opti- impact. In line with this campaign, is actually 242V. This ‘over-voltage’ misation technology and a 286kVA the council identifi ed the Cotswold means that energy consumption is Powerstar unit was installed. Leisure Centre as a facility where not only higher, but as a result, the The Powerstar installation helped several sustainability targets could lifespan of equipment is shortened.” reduce the leisure centre's direct be met through a reduction in its Voltage optimisation has also been electricity consumption – an over- electricity consumption. shown to improve power quality by all energy saving of 8 per cent was Recognising that voltage optimi- balancing phase voltages and fi lter- achieved – whilst CO2 emissions sation – an electrical energy saving ing harmonics as well as transients were reduced by 54 tonnes. The technique in which a device is from the electricity supply, leading to council also achieved an annual sav- installed in series with the mains reduced maintenance costs as less ing of £7,800 on electricity costs.

A number of financial products are currently being developed by suppliers and financial houses to bridge the gap when it comes to paying your energy deposit

your contract and mitigate the risk Utility deposit bonds are also cur- ogy to meet UK government targets. to all parties. For example, a consul- rently available for larger deposits of In some cases companies have no tancy can tender out to suppliers and between £50,000 and £1m, though budget at all to invest in consumption fi lter each one to fi nd, not only the these often require extensive security reduction equipment and systems. best prices, but also to determine any checks, including an insurance policy But there is a solution. obstacles that you may face when it and a bank guarantee. The advantage comes to accommodating the deposit of this option is that the customer will TAKE CONTROL requests of the utility companies. benefi t from a cheaper fi nancial tariff Companies should not be embar- on the back of the guarantee provided rassed to discuss this with their utility ADDRESSING THE CREDIT CRISIS to the utility company. provider. It is important to take an A number of fi nancial products are cur- Though the health of your credit open book attitude with suppliers to rently being developed by suppliers rating is critical to your energy pro- ensure that a bank of evidence is and fi nancial houses to bridge the gap curement, there are ways and means available to support your accounts and when it comes to paying your energy of ensuring that payment for utilities to explain any anomalies. deposit. Currently proving popular in won’t break the bank. Timing is every- The are emerging ways for organ- the US is the utilisation of unsecured thing. If you purchase your energy at isations to seek funding for energy loans through merchant the right time, you can tie yourself into management and technology, ena- banks and if this solu- a more economical contract. bling them to recoup savings to put tion is rolled out Poor credit coupled with UK govern- towards further energy-effi cient meas- in the UK, it will ment pressure to reduce usage and ures. The ever changing market is provide fi nance carbon emissions is leaving compa- certainly one to watch. ● to the trader to nies with a diffi cult dilemma. With the pay the deposit deposits taking up so much of a com- The Energy Desk T: 0800 3777 889, for the energy pany’s credit limit, little budget is left E: [email protected] contracts. to purchase energy saving technol- www.theenergydesk.co.uk

64 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 CASE STUDY obtain funding via the Carbon Trust KENDAL GOLF CLUB to implement the energy reduction project, which saw the installation of energy-effi cient heating controls, as anchester-based energy well as presence and light level con- management company trols. Ineffi cient lighting was also M NCS recently completed a replaced with the latest design and major energy refi t of the Kendal Golf technologies – with all parts approved Club in Cumbria. for ECA tax rebate, providing additional NCS was selected to partner the savings for the golf club. golf club and help them reduce their “We initially aimed to reduce energy The club has exceeded its targets energy use by 15 per cent within two spend by 15 per cent, giving a return years. As part of the project, NCS on investment within two years. provided advice on all aspects of However, we have completely exceeded sumption and, as a consequence, the golf club’s energy management, this target and the golf club will see reduce costs," said Ian Clancy, club including the use of lighting and a return on investment within just 18 manager, Kendal Golf Club. "Our heating, as well as reducing ongoing months,” said NCS managing direc- club has a long standing history, pro- maintenance costs. tor Chris Norburn. “The club was able viding golfi ng facilities for over 100 Kendal Golf Club is now achiev- to operate as usual during the imple- years, and we’re proud to boast the ing a reduction in consumption of mentation of new systems and the latest in energy effi cient technology.” 21 per cent on electricity and 41 per installation was carried out with the NCS will continue to work with cent on gas, providing a return on minimum of disruption.” Kendall Golf Club throughout 2012 investment in 18 months. “NCS has played a key role in to ensure the energy reduction cur- NCS helped Kendal Golf Club to enabling us to reduce our energy con- rently being realised is maintained.

CASE STUDY home ground for 19 teams of all STANNINGLEY SPORTS ages, the fl oodlights can be on for & AMATEUR RUGBY 15 hours a week during winter. LEAGUE CLUB “There are a number of changes Nofolk can implement today if he wants to start reducing hen the management Stanningley’s consumption,” says at Stanningley Sports & Dr Angela Needle, head of Energy W Amateur Rugby League Consultancy at British Gas. “Simply Club in Leeds decided they wanted switching off car parking lights when to free up some funds to invest in a they aren’t needed could save a sub- new irrigation system, fi nding spare stantial amount. Vending machines capital was a problem. Club adminis- also consume a surprising amount trator, Jon Norfolk, soon realised that The club uses smart meters together when left switched on overnight. cutting the club’s energy bills was with Business Energy Insight “One of the main ways Norfolk a simple way of saving money and could cut costs is by installing becoming more energy effi cient. accurately monitor how much energy is energy effi cient lights. Compact fl u- The £1.5m club has substan- being used, businesses can put an end orescents or LED lamps use up to tial energy overheads, and Norfolk to estimated bills by only paying for the 80 per cent less energy than tung- knew that he needed to fi nd a way of electricity they use. sten GLS lamps. In addition, when reducing energy use without compro- The service provides an online used indoors they don't need to be mising on functionality. dashboard, which displays energy con- replaced as often, and, because In order to understand where the sumption in pounds and pence, putting these lights generate less heat, club is using energy, Norfolk has just businesses in control of their costs. they put less strain on air condition- started using British Gas's Business It also provides support from account ing systems. Also, to make sure his Energy Insight, an online service executives trained to help customers showers are as effi cient as possible, which shows businesses how, when implement energy saving measures. Norfolk should check that stored hot and where they are using electricity. Floodlights are one of the club’s big- water temperature is kept at 60°C, With the help of smart meters, which gest energy outputs. As the club is which is the optimum.”

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 65 HEALTH & FITNESS

The growth of the low cost gym sector is giving the health and fitness market a boost, finds Sheff ield Hallam University's Leisure Forecast report. Themis Kokolakakis explains the findings

LOWCOST FITNESS

supply-induced expan- sion is the basis for a signifi cant improvement in the fortunes of health and fi tness operators Adespite the uncertain economic envi- ronment in the UK and Europe. In 2012, the health and fi tness mar- ket is expected to reach £2,265m (US$3,596m, E2,707m) in value, rep- resenting an increase of 2 per cent in Leisure Forecasts predicts that the real terms. This is mainly measured health and fi tness market will grow by by the number of members or par- 12 per cent between 2011 and 2015 ticipants. During the period 2011 to 2015, the market, despite its matu- rity, is expected to grow by almost 12 per cent in real terms. maturity, has presented an opportunity Budget gyms are faster and cheaper for expansion by US chains. to build, which is the main reason for MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION the interest shown by US chains. Plus, In terms of membership, the market LOW-COST BOOST only three per cent of existing health is dominated by David Lloyd (450,000 The sector pushing forward most clubs are in the low-cost category, so members), Virgin Active and Fitness aggressively is the low-cost 24-hour the potential is immense, not only First. However, it is still open to acqui- opening gym. Examples include The for taking market share, but also for sitions and consolidation – especially Gym Group and Pure Gym – low-cost attracting new participants in the mar- amid the current economic climate. operators which offer the use of facili- ket. Indeed the initial reports are very The economic decline, primarily in ties without a monthly contract and are encouraging in this regard. Europe and secondarily in the UK, has open 24 hours a day. Another signifi cant development had a triple effect on the economics of Last year Pure Gym raised funds was the opening of the fi rst easy- health and fi tness operators. (£10m, US$16m, E11.7m) to enable Gym clubs in Slough and Wood Green Firstly, low-cost operators have had it to expand across the UK. It plans to last year. The easyGym company an ideal opportunity for expansion; open 20 new locations by the end of has a policy of offering pay-as-you-go secondly, the big chains, with plans to 2012, taking its portfolio to 45 clubs, monthly fees without requiring a long- expand abroad, have had to reconsider while The Gym Group, with 20 clubs, is term contract. Its business plan is to the risk against the expected benefi t; also fully funded to open 20 new sites open 10 clubs per year, although roll- and thirdly, the UK market, despite its a year for the next four years. out activity seems to have slowed.

66 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 A combination of market globalisation and adverse economic circumstances has turned the market towards cheaper, more fl exible neighbourhood provision

Pure Gym offers 24 hour gym membership with no contract from £10.99 a month

The Gym Group, which already has 20 clubs, has funding to open 20 new clubs a year for the next four years

The economic uncertainty in Europe has reversed plans to expand by one of the most important UK opera- tors – Fitness First, which is curently restructuring its debt and considering cutting staffi ng levels. The company announced last September that it had abandoned plans for a fl otation on the Singapore stock exchange. Globally, Fitness First has 550 clubs; a quar- ter of which are located in Southeast Asia, Australia and Hong Kong.

FLEXIBLE FUTURE A combination of globalisation and adverse economic circumstances has US operators have been attracted nology to locate gyms within an turned the market towards cheaper, by the possibilities for growth in the expanding network of clubs, where more fl exible neighbourhood provision. low-cost sector. For example, Anytime consumers can book and pay per visit Monthly rolling contracts are likely Fitness is planning to open 50 clubs without membership requirements. to become far more mainstream. in the UK and Ireland by the end of The service was launched in London Indeed, the involvement of US fi tness 2012. The company operates small and is now operational in Manchester, clubs expanding in the UK is likely neighbourhood clubs on a low-cost with further plans underway to expand to have an effect akin to that of the basis and offers 24-hour access to its across the UK during 2012 and 24-hour supermarkets. facilities. Its business plan has identi- onwards from there. Focusing on areas with a lack of fi ed small cities without any health and Similarly Tone Leisure – a not for health and fi tness provision will bring fi tness facilities. So far four clubs have profi t social enterprise – is rolling out about a signifi cant rise in the number opened in the UK; two in Bristol and Shapemaster's Feel Good Factory con- of fi rst-time gym users. As a study pub- one each in Hemel Hempstead and cept across its existing clubs in the lished by YouGov Sixth Sense titled London's King's Cross. UK, following a successful pilot period. Gyms and Health Clubs emphasised, Finally, in the spirit of the much The concept targets overweight and location is the most pressing issue more fl exible neighbourhood serv- limited mobility customers. Leisure affecting consumers in their choice of ice provision outlined above, a new trust BH Live also opened a Feel gyms. If this can be addressed by cur- service called PayasUGym launched Good Factory at Pelhams Park Leisure rent neighbourhood-based programmes, in 2011, utilising smartphone tech- Centre, Bournemouth in March. the rewards could be signifi cant. ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 67 Creating that sporting habit

The new Youth and Community Sport Strategy aims to increase the number of people doing regular sport, but does it go far enough, asks Mark Allman

anuary is always a favour- ■ Nurture and develop talent. ite time for government ■ Provide the right facilities announcements, so there in the right places. was little surprise that, ■ Support local authorities after a lengthy consulta- and unlock local funding. The Youth and Community Sports Jtion process, the new fi ve-year Youth ■ Ensure real opportunities Strategy will see more than £1bn and Community Sport Strategy was for communities. of National Lottery and Exchequer launched in the fi rst weeks of 2012. By focusing on these points, Sport funding invested in sport The Sport England and culture sec- England hopes to see a year-on-year retary, Jeremy Hunt, has done much increase in the numbers of people who to try and ensure that investment into play sport once a week for at least 30 sport (£1bn over fi ve years) contin- minutes (1x30). In particular, Sport ■ Access to school sports facilities. ues in times of severe austerity. This is England wants to see increases in the ■ Better connectivity of work across especially evident in the fi nancial sup- number of young people aged 14 to stakeholders at the local level, port for the School Games, funding 25 playing weekly sport, as well as a connecting NGBs at the local level from health and education, and the fact reduction in the numbers of people and building strong local clubs. that he secured an extra 20 per cent of dropping out of regular sports partici- ■ A local funding pot. funding for sport from the Lottery. pation. The focus on 1x30 presents a ■ A clearer understanding of the Over the period of the strategy, clear opportunity to focus efforts on changing landscape locally. £450m will go into NGB Whole Sport getting the inactive active and poten- The strategy has made clear com- Plans, £150m into School Games, tially opens the door to more productive mitments to try and tackle all of these £250m into facilities and £250m into discussions with health commissioners. issues. The detail is being fl eshed out, local investment. At fi rst glance, one As part of its strategy preparation, but signifi cantly CLOA, local authori- could be misled into thinking that this Sport England carried out a consul- ties and operators are being better is simply a strategy for young people tation which highlighted areas the engaged in the process. and sport. It is not, but it does under- organisation needs to do better in. An estimated £1.4bn was spent on line an expectation that funding is These included the need for: sport and leisure services across local targeted at this group if long-term hab- ■ A greater recognition that NGB authorities in 2010/11, well in excess its are to be affected. investment should be more of the £1bn invested over the life of So what are the key aspects of the conditional on results. the new Youth Sport Strategy. The strategy? Sport England has indicated ■ A clear acknowledgement of the challenge for the sports sector at a that the strategy should: role County Sports Partnerships time when year-on-year local funding is ■ See more people taking on and play in co-ordinating community likely to be squeezed is to work as one keeping a sporting habit for life. sport at the sub-regional level, as – public, private, volunteer and third ■ Create more sporting well as a recognition of the need sector – to maximise the funding avail- opportunities for young people. for greater consistency from them. able and join it all up on the ground.

68 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Local authorities are perfectly placed to help shape services within We need to learn very quickly and roll out localities but there remain a number of key challenges to be addressed. what works best. We also need to get better at Sport for sport’s sake will often have marketing our services, using insight to understand little resonance locally. Talking the lan- guage of health, and understanding what motivates people to take part in sport how to access public health and clinical commissioning group funding is essen- tial. We need to be getting slices of the local stakeholders and their staff We are at a crossroads. The eyes of cake rather than feeding from crumbs. are trying to deal with a pace of change the world will be on London in August However, there is a question mark that is unprecedented, with a diminish- and there will be lots of questions over whether local authorities will be ing skill base and resources to do it. asked about legacy. Will the same focus able to maintain their current invest- In this context it makes the lead- be placed on sport in 2013? Success ment in sport and leisure services ership role of local authorities all the will be borne out of a collective effort without sufficient incentive to do so. more challenging, yet we must make to work together, understand the chang- Therefore, in terms of sports devel- significant forward progress if we are to ing world around us, prove our value opment, being able to show how local grow and not merely survive. and deliver results. On the basis of working helps to connect to, and draw NGBs need help in trying to trans- very recent discussions between Sport down, national funding streams in local late and apply national plans locally. England, NGBs, local authorities, oper- areas is very helpful. There cannot be a We need to all learn very quickly and ators and county sports partnerships, one size fits all approach. The relative roll out what we know works best and there is cause to be optimistic. ● priority of leisure services locally will get better at marketing our services, often be different. The extent of reform using insight to understand what moti- Mark Allman is a CLOA executive and at all levels also means that many of vates people to take part in sport. head of sport at Leeds City Council

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 69 SENIOR’S SOLUTIONS NUMBER 23

Finding ways to operate more quickly and efficiently frees up time to focus on what really matters – customer satisfaction, says Grahame Senior How to make time Concentrate on solutions

ands up if in this chal- Time is money practical. Generally lenging climate you have Many of us face diffi- speaking, team mem- too much to do and not cult choices in terms of bers tend to be more enough time... Step marshalling our human flexible and highly moti- forward if you find your- resources and some of vated to be helpful and H self not knowing what to do next and the luxuries of in-depth cooperative in changes how to get it all done. This recession- support on administra- in working practices. ary period offers all of us in business tive and management One of the prime some pretty fearsome challenges. processes have had to strategies for making The Sunday supplements keep go. Many people run- more time is to get the telling us we are the “time-poor” gen- ning leisure businesses whole team together eration in our personal lives – we are having to do more and review the work- are certainly time-challenged when it personally, ensuring their teams are ing practices – in particular, who does comes to operating our businesses. focused on the front line of guest rela- what. Send everybody a questionnaire However, there is some hope and help tions and guest satisfaction. about their working routine. Once you if you approach it in the right way. Everybody is looking for value. That have all the results together, you can means that even if our bookings are identify clearly where there is dupli- Experience and necessity good, our yield is under pressure. In cation of responsibility and waste. are both great teachers many areas, particularly energy, util- Cutting out duplication on processes I have been operating in independent ities and public sector, operational can simplify things and, as well as business for more than 40 years and charges such as rates and refuse col- making the business more efficient, it this is my fourth recession. Along the lection costs keep rising. Many of us makes the working day more straight- way, I have learned quite a few things have been through the process of care- forward. You will often get some really about working effectively with the mar- fully assessing and rationalising our valuable inputs from the team on this. ket to make the most of difficult times. human resources and have done our They see what you don’t. I’ve also picked up some ways of best to shave some of the cost with- Another strategy that can be very maintaining and motivating the team out damaging the quality of our guest effective is to revisit the operating during periods when they’re faced with services. It all leads in one direction – manual and bring it up to date. You heavier workloads and tighter rewards. more to do and less time to do it. are likely to find things in there which Some of these have been shared in simply aren’t done as written, either recent columns but one thing I have Making more time because they don’t work that way not yet covered is what I have learned One of the plus factors of these reces- or because things have changed. about self-management, time-manage- sionary times is that people are more Removing redundant activities and ment and working more efficiently. realistic about what is possible and sharpening the whole thing up helps focus on what is actually important in the current state of the business. TOO LITTLE TIME? TRY THESE SENIOR’S SOLUTIONS Just do it once 1 Cut down on meetings – 4 Simplify business operational This probably applies more to your own increase on-the-job discussion. systems and ensure as much routine as a manager/proprietor than time as possible is focused on anything else but I have found it a very 2 Cut down paper communication guest service and satisfaction. good discipline. I think we are all famil- – focus on e-communication. iar with bad habits of equivocation. We 5 Keep smiling at people and look at documents or opportunities, 3 Just do it once. Don’t pick make time to say thank you to consider options, get halfway towards it up, put it down and wait for your employees. Have some a solution and then put the file down, another day. Deal with it now. downtime with the team. getting involved in something else. Instead of tackling the problem, resolv-

70 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The Bildeston Crown in Suffolk: “A very professional operation”

Flexible, focused and friendly we wanted to continue our discussion over dinner. Delivering real guest satisfaction during a It was quiet (the village was suffering from a power cut) difficult season – The Bildeston Crown, Suffolk but the service couldn’t have been more attentive and the quality of cooking was as good as ever. haven’t always been the greatest fan of The Bildeston Particularly memorable was breakfast; everything was Crown. On occasions it has seemed a little bit ‘fash- presented exactly as asked for and with complete atten- I ionable’ – although fundamentally good. A recent visit tion to detail. It is a very professional operation and we in appalling weather answered any lingering doubts. It was appreciated the relaxed, friendly and attentive way in a last minute booking for two. The rate offered was terrific which they dealt with two ‘old crusties’ in the deep mid- value. We were shown to exactly the fireside table required winter. It is a mark of a well run establishment to deliver for our meeting and precisely the spot in the dining room top-notch service when things are quiet.

ing the opportunity and taking the to work. It also provides instant record- action all in one go, we tend to pick it Focus on the market, ing of information and communication up, put it down and pick it up again. in real time without any extra effort. If you resolve to ‘do it once and do it forget the problems Reorganising your communication the first time’ it’s amazing how much and you will solve structures so that you don’t waste time you free up. It may sound like time distributing paper, engaging ‘shrink-speak’ but I recommend you the problems in redundant meetings or filing and give it a try. It works for me. recording means that everybody knows what’s going on more quickly. Management by walking about everything stops. If the communication Remember business meetings – once and decision making that took place in What’s it all about? the main driver of many hotel busi- meetings is handled ‘on the hoof’, it Quite simply, it’s about cutting the nesses? A combination of terrorism can be more practical and efficient. amount of time taken up by back office problems, airline difficulties, improved This ethic works in just the same and internal procedures and free- electronic communication and cost way when it comes to the communica- ing up more time to focus on what pressures have more or less removed tion that follows meetings or decisions. really matters – guest satisfaction. them entirely from our calendar. It Keep it simple and keep it practical – Recessionary times create a climate hasn’t damaged business. Business fewer words – clearer message. of fear. It is very easy for a business executives still travel to deal with to fall into the trap of focusing on its research, sales and relationship mat- Communicate effectively own concerns and affairs. ters but the ‘talking shop’ meetings Use e-communication in a way that By concentrating on the problems we business has significantly reduced. works. E-communication etiquette is move further away from the solutions. In your own business it may be that much simpler and more direct than There is a market out there, it wants to issues once resolved by meetings can that of print. It’s also a great deal enjoy its leisure experiences at good actually be resolved by direct conver- quicker. Communicating with the team value and with good human contact. sation. Talking to people on the job, through text and email can mean mes- Focus on the market, forget the prob- walking through and getting involved in sages are read instantly and acted on. lems and you will solve the problems. the processes as the action happens To get the message across, make sure The more time leisure businesses can be much quicker and more efficient. everybody understands what’s going spend looking after their customers, If everything stops for meetings, on and takes action; it is the best way the more they will prosper. ●

ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 71 LEISURE DIRECTORY BE SEEN BY OVER 26,000 ACTIVE BUYERS EACH ISSUE

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ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 73 PUBLIC SECTOR

There will never be a better time

Building new leisure facilities may seem like a luxury in these austere times, but Tom Pinnington and Chris Marriott argue that it can actually be more cost-eff ective than refurbishing ageing sites

t’s been over a year since the More commercial facility mix up to community use outside school outcome of the comprehensive The choice of facility mix for any new hours, the schools could generate a spending review was announced. facility is important. There will be ele- valuable source of income and local The budget cuts have been taking ments of any facility that are ‘a given’, authorities could be relieved of the effectI throughout the public sec- to meet community needs (pools being burden of providing facilities that are tor, including leisure services. In the a good example), but there are others underutilised for much of the day. meantime many local authority leisure that can be added, removed or reduced facilities built during the early to mid- to maximise the potential to generate Low borrowing rates 1970s are starting to come apart at positive revenue. A cold assessment of Borrowing rates are currently at his- the seams. There are currently some the fi nancial sustainability of a sports torically low levels. For those that can real opportunities for councils to centre will typically dictate that pool unlock the revenue, new buildings have secure savings, while also improving water should be minimised, as should never been so affordable. Prudential the quality and range of leisure facili- sports hall space, while health and fi t- borrowing can be secured over a long- ties for their communities. ness suites, studios and fi ve-a-side term at a fi xed rate. While it’s anyone’s guess how long rates can remain Rationalisation this low, you can be pretty sure Leisure facilities of around 30 BorrowingBor rates are currently they are only likely to rise in the to 40 years old tend to be clus- future. Why not secure cheap tered in regions; evidence of at historically low levels. fi nance now and benefi t from it local authorities’ unwillingness for years to come. or inability to sort out their port- For those that can unlock folios. These were built to suit the revenue there for the Competitive tenders for different leisure needs and building facilities customer expectations. Many taking, new buildings have The building contractor mar- of them have been extended never been so aff ordablee ket remains very competitive. over time in a piecemeal fash- Competition is intense for many ion as and when odd funding projects and the benefi ciaries of became available. Facilities of this in recent years have been this vintage are costly to manage and football pitches all provide a far better councils procuring new facilities. There operate and are completely incapable return on investment. are plenty of examples of good quality of optimising revenue. The question is leisure facilities built at very competi- whether to merely refurbish them or to Unlocking existing facilities tive prices. This is set to continue for at do the job properly and replace them. Pressure on local authorities to pro- least the next couple of years. Refurbishment of buildings of this vide large and expensive indoor spaces There are further opportunities to age rarely provides anything other as part of a new facility can be eased improve the bottom line for councils than a short-term solution and sim- by establishing partnerships with other through outsourcing the management ply delays the inevitable. However, if providers of community sports facili- of facilities. With the quality of special- councils consider their wider portfolio, ties. It’s great that many new schools ist operators and a very competitive there are often opportunities to ration- now have good sports facilities, but market it is a matter of time before alise provision, providing potential few share these spaces with their com- almost all of the community leisure to reduce revenue defi cits, increase munities. Many are the legacy of poorly stock in the UK is managed externally. income and unlock funding based on written PFI contracts and an unwill- For many councils there’s never been the potential revenue savings. The ingness on the part of operators to a better time to review their facilities rationalisation of facilities doesn’t provide anything outside the narrow and management arrangements. ● need to stop with leisure. Increasingly, scope of the original contract. This other services are being co-located has resulted in under-utilised sporting Tom Pinnington and Chris Marriott are within leisure buildings. assets. If these facilities are opened directors at The Sports Consultancy

74 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 BORDEAUX 13-15 JUNE 2012


 
   

 

 
 



   

   
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