To ensure the least amount of disruption, the council will be working with its main contractor, Places Leisure, to ensure that all memberships, bookings and staff will be transferred to Places Leisure effective from 3 April 2025.

This affects the following leisure facilities in Southampton:

• Alpine Snowsports Southampton
• Bitterne Leisure Centre
• Chamberlayne Leisure Centre
• The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex
• Southampton Water Activities Centre
• The Outdoor Sports Centre
• Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre

Along with bookings of sports pitches and facilities at the following:

• Riverside Park
• Outdoor Sports Centre
• Millbrook Recreation Ground
• Green Park
• Veracity Recreation Ground
• Mayfield Recreation Ground
• Lordshill Recreation Ground

The council's team is working closely with Places Leisure to ensure a smooth and seamless transition, with the priority to ensure the sites remain open and that staff are supported.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, said:

'Southampton City Council is working closely with Places Leisure, our leisure services provider, to ensure that residents can continue to enjoy our leisure facilities, as our sub-contractor, Active Nation, has ceased trading. Due to the contract that we have in place, we anticipate residents and members will still be able to access our leisure facilities across the city.

'I appreciate that this will be a difficult time for staff and have been assured that they will be offered appropriate support during this transition period. I would like to thank them for their continued dedication and support to our residents.'

In an email, Active Nation said: 'Due to immense pressure from the ongoing utility crisis, Active Nation has made the difficult decision to cease operations in Southampton's leisure venues from Wednesday, 2nd April.

'From Thursday, 3rd April, the venues will be handed over to Places Leisure, who will take on the management and continue providing services to the community.'