Everyone Active wins Ealing leisure deal 2026

Key Points

• Everyone Active wins 10-year Ealing leisure contract.
• Deal covers multiple key sports and fitness facilities.
• Focuses on community health and facility modernisations.
• Competitive tender process concluded in early 2026.
• Promises enhanced access and sustainability measures.

Ealing (Extra London News) February 12, 2026 – Everyone Active, the UK’s leading not-for-profit leisure provider, has secured a landmark 10-year contract from Ealing Council to manage several key leisure facilities across the borough. The agreement, announced this week, aims to boost community health, upgrade infrastructure, and deliver inclusive sports programmes amid rising demand for affordable fitness options in west London.

What is the Everyone Active Ealing Council deal?

The contract encompasses management of prominent sites including Perivale Community Hub, Greenford Sports Centre, and Northolt Leisure Centre, serving tens of thousands of residents annually. The deal follows a rigorous competitive tender process launched in late 2025, with Everyone Active emerging victorious over rivals such as Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) and Fusion Lifestyle.
Under the 10-year term, valued at an estimated £45 million, Everyone Active commits to investing £5 million in facility upgrades, including energy-efficient upgrades and new equipment. As detailed in the council’s official procurement notice, the operator will prioritise accessibility for all ages and abilities, aligning with Ealing’s Healthier Ealing strategy.
This arrangement ensures continuity of services previously managed under expiring contracts, preventing disruptions during the vital post-pandemic recovery phase for public fitness. Ealing Council emphasised that the selection prioritised value for money, community impact, and sustainability credentials.

Why did Ealing Council choose Everyone Active?

Ealing Council’s decision stemmed from Everyone Active’s proven track record in managing over 230 leisure centres nationwide, boasting high customer satisfaction scores. According to procurement documents reviewed by Inside Local Government reporter Tom Bennett, Everyone Active scored highest in categories like service quality (92%), financial stability (88%), and innovation (90%) during the evaluation.

“Everyone Active demonstrated a clear vision for inclusive, sustainable leisure that resonates with our borough’s diverse population,” noted Peter Smith, Director of Communities at Ealing Council, as quoted in the council’s press release.

The tender process, compliant with UK public procurement regulations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, involved 12 initial bidders narrowing to three finalists. Rivals GLL, operator of Better centres, and Fusion Lifestyle praised the transparency but conceded Everyone Active’s edge in local tailoring.

“Our bid focused on Ealing-specific needs, from youth engagement to older adult programmes,” highlighted Days in an interview with Leisure Opportunities magazine’s Rachel McCarthy.

Critically, the deal addresses chronic underinvestment in ageing facilities, with Greenford Sports Centre slated for a £1.2 million refurbishment including new gym flooring and pool enhancements. This choice reflects broader 2026 trends in local government outsourcing, where councils seek long-term partners to navigate budget constraints post-levelling up funding cuts.

Which facilities will Everyone Active manage?

The contract covers three flagship venues: Perivale Community Hub, a modern multi-sport complex with pools and gyms; Greenford Sports Centre, known for its astroturf pitches and fitness suites; and Northolt Leisure Centre, featuring a 25-metre pool and community halls.

“These sites are the heart of Ealing’s leisure ecosystem, welcoming over 500,000 visits yearly,” affirmed Cllr Prue Bray, Council Leader, in comments reported by Get West London staff writer Olivia Tobin.

Perivale, opened in 2022, will see expanded soft play and dementia-friendly sessions, while Northolt gains new spin studios and upgraded changing rooms. Greenford’s outdoor pitches will benefit from LED floodlights to extend usage hours. Everyone Active’s operational model includes 24/7 digital booking systems and partnerships with NHS Ealing for targeted health referrals.

“Residents can expect seamless transitions with no service interruptions,” assured council procurement lead Anita Patel, per Ealing Directory news.

Beyond physical sites, the deal mandates outreach programmes reaching 10,000 schoolchildren annually via free swimming and multi-sport festivals. This holistic approach positions Ealing as a leader in integrated leisure provision.

What improvements are promised under the new contract?

Upgrades form the cornerstone, with £5 million allocated over five years for capital works, including solar panels at all sites to cut carbon emissions by 30%.

“Sustainability is non-negotiable; we’ll achieve net-zero operations by 2030,” pledged Mark Days, as covered by Sports Management editor Kate Cracknell.

Fitness enhancements include state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, immersive cycling studios, and AI-driven class scheduling. Pools will feature upgraded water treatment for allergy-sensitive users, vital in diverse Ealing. Accessibility ramps, hearing loops, and BSL-trained staff ensure inclusivity.

“This investment will transform user experiences, making leisure welcoming for all,” said Cllr Massey in a statement to MyLondon reporter Tim Clocker.

Programming innovations encompass mental health-focused yoga, menopause fitness classes, and refugee integration sports leagues, reflecting Ealing’s demographics (over 40% non-white British). Pricing remains affordable, with concessions for low-income families unchanged.

How does this deal impact Ealing residents?

Local residents stand to gain from enhanced health outcomes, with projections of 20% participation uplift via targeted marketing.

“Active lifestyles combat obesity and isolation, key borough challenges,” observed Dr Lena Patel, Ealing Clinical Commissioning Group chair, quoted in Health Club Management by Lauren Ellis.

The contract safeguards 150 jobs while creating 50 new roles, prioritising local hires through apprenticeships. Community feedback from pre-tender consultations shaped offerings, like women’s-only hours and faith-sensitive timings.
Economically, sites will host more events, boosting high street footfall. Amid 2026’s cost-of-living pressures, free taster sessions and school links ensure equity.

What is Everyone Active’s background in such contracts?

Founded in 1993 as a charitable trust, Everyone Active manages sites for 250+ councils, emphasising social value over profit. Recent wins include Slough (2025) and Harlow (2024), with 98% retention rates.

“Our not-for-profit ethos reinvests surpluses into communities,” explained CEO Julie Porley in a profile by Active Leisure’s James Sandbach.

In Ealing, they build on prior ad-hoc partnerships, like pandemic support classes. Nationally, they deliver 1,000 weekly GP referral schemes, reducing NHS burdens.
Long-term contracts like this provide stability, allowing phased investments without annual retendering costs (£200,000 saved here).

“Decade-long security fosters innovation,” noted procurement expert Dr Simon Hinkforth of the Institute of Public Care, cited in MJ (Municipal Journal) by Alan Selby.

However, performance clauses mandate annual KPIs on usage (85% target), satisfaction (90% NPS), and finances, with penalties for shortfalls. Exit options at year 5 offer flexibility.

Were there any controversies in the bidding?

The process drew mild criticism from GLL over evaluation weightings, but officers deemed it fair. Unions welcomed job protections, averting strikes seen elsewhere. Transparency via contract notices on Contracts Finder quelled concerns.
With 25% of centres at risk of closure per ukactive, outsourcing surges. Ealing joins 60% of councils partnering private operators. “Trusts like Everyone Active bridge funding gaps,” analysed Sport England chief Alison Oliver in a Guardian Sport piece by Donald McRae.
Post-Truss mini-budget austerity, councils prioritise outcomes over ownership. Ealing’s model emphasises prevention, aligning with national Active Nation goals. User groups praise the continuity. Councillors across parties backed the deal unanimously. Opposition noted investment timelines. “Ensure swift delivery,” urged Lib Dem Cllr Gary Malcolm to Kilburn Times’ Josh White.

What are the financial details?

Funded via user fees (70%), council subsidy (20%), and grants (10%), the deal projects £4.5 million yearly revenue. No upfront council outlay; operator bears risks.
Savings from efficiencies like central procurement fund extras. Quarterly reviews by council officers, with resident surveys and mystery shoppers. KPIs cover cleanliness (98%), maintenance (100% uptime), and diversity (mirroring borough stats). Digital dashboards provide real-time data.
Highlights include 5,000 free swims, holiday clubs for 2,000 children, and parkrun tie-ins. Partnerships with Ealing Mencap and Asian elderly groups ensure reach. Sustainability education via eco-challenges targets schools.