Desborough Leisure Centre set for potential council takeover

Desborough Leisure Centre could be brought back under local authority control as part of plans to change the way leisure services are run.

North Northamptonshire Council is proposing to take over the running of all its council-owned leisure facilities and end contracts with private operators, following almost two years of reviews, user surveys and financial assessments.

Desborough Leisure Centre

The council says the move would allow it to take a more direct approach to delivering leisure services and build on the model already used in Corby, where facilities have been managed in-house since the unitary council was created in 2021.

A review found the in-house service in Corby was “exemplary”, performing better than outsourced facilities and offering a wider range of active wellbeing support.

The council said bringing services back under local control could provide greater consistency across the district, while ensuring leisure centres continue to support health and wellbeing.

The proposals would see contracts with private providers, including Freedom Leisure and Places Leisure, come to an end.

North Northamptonshire Council said no final decision has yet been made, and further work will take place before any changes are implemented.

The authority said it would continue to work with leisure users, staff and partners as part of the process.