Home               

LC

Brent

Other Areas

About LCW 

Contact LCW

Quest Scores

Complaint Tips

LC Dossier

LC Cutbacks

Other Sources 

Links




Other Areas Summary   Allerdale, Ards, Babergh, Broxbourne, Cambourne, Castle Morpeth, Cheltenham, Dartford, Daventry, DeepingDidcot, DunmowDunstable, Ealing, Easington, East Northant's, Ely, Flitwick, Flintshire, Fowey, Grantham, Great YarmouthHackney, Harpenden, Harrow, Holme Pierrepont Hungerford, Kerrier, LambethLee Valley, Lewisham, Lilleshall, Maldon, Milton Keynes, Mole Valley, North KestevenOadbyPenwith, SleafordSouth Bedfordshire, South KestevenSouth Norfolk, SpaldingSt AlbansStansted, Stoke Mandevile,  Swale, Three Rivers, Tunbridge Wells, Uttlesford, West DevonWest Berkshire, West LindseyWokinghamWorcester, WycombeWymondham

   

 ..              

  

Looking at standards and raising the game since
 March 2004

   



Leisure Connection Watch

                         Last updated: 2 December 2008 

                


Downloads from Other Sites

World Health Organisation:
 
Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments

Fitness Industry Association  Code of Practice


Office of Fair Trading  Guidance on Unfair Terms in Health and Fitness Club Agreements
 

Department of Health  Exercise Referral Systems: A National Quality Assurance Framework 

Contacting LCW        Publicising LCW         How To Complain about Your Leisure Service        Tips on Searching the Web 

The Leisure Connection Dossier - Issue 5  

With so much information about LC on this website it can be time consuming finding the leading items. Now you can download a Word document with key reports about LC. The dossier refers to Audit Commission, council and media sources. Items are listed under headings that include Problems with Council Contracts, Health & Safety, Cleaning & Hygiene, Maintenance, Staffing,  Price Increases, and User Contract Issues.  The current version is  Issue 5, published 8.10.07.  Issue 6 will be ready early in the New Year.

   Index for Headings from January 2007 till now    Headings from 2006    Headings from 2004 to 2005 

 Dates on left are when items were added to LCW.    Dates on right are when reports first appeared.     

2.12.08  Harrow -   Councillor concerned that leisure car park  "will remain a hot bed of crime and disorder"  1.12.08
26.11.08  Harrow -   Police lambast LC after continuing problems 26.11.08

POLICE had to shut down one of the largest entertainment venue in Harrow amid fears the management had lost control.... after a fight involving up to 50 young people broke out inside the hall during the event. ...Sergeant Carl Davis...said Byron Hall and the adjoining Harrow Leisure Centre has a “consistent problem with crime and disorder”, and pointed the finger squarely at Leisure Connection for not doing enough to tackle the problem. He added managers have “stalled, dithered, dawdled, and smoke-screened” over a number of years to avoid putting in adequate security measures, such as CCTV alarm systems, and employing enough bouncers, as requested by the police.

24.11.08 November 2008
22.11.08 Brent - "Dangerous chemicals closed down pool" 20.11.08
7.11.08  Dunstable - Public protest against LC's takeover of play area 6.11.08
6.11.08  Harrow -   LC's management of centre under fire 6.11.08

Residents are calling for a change of management after problems at Harrow Leisure Centre... complaints ranging from poor maintenance to lack of security...

Harrow Council ...  said the building is in a state of disrepair but wanted to replace it, a project scrapped when funding fell through... ...a swimmer at the centre said they should develop rather than scaring people off. "I'd like to see them replace the current contractors with people who would get the place up and running like they should.” 

The Councillor responsible said he knew there were problems. “They've got a contract for two more years and if I terminate that contract before then I will need money to buy them out....  I'm not going to spend a lot of money to buy them out of an old building.”  He said his department  told Leisure Connection that the council is not responsible for its staffing problems and the company itself must solve them.

5.11.08  Brent -  Council email reveals that mutiple failings led to chlorine incident April 2008

 “The (monitoring) sheets used by Vale Farm are not fit for purpose “ “…no audit programme of how staff are performing the tasks…”  Testing tablets had no expiry date. Manufacturer not contacted after failure.  “What happens to these reports was my next question. Again blank faces. It seems no one apart from the head office sees these reports.”  “…no one had actually read the (health improvement) notice to see what it entailed…” “The gradual rise (in chlorine readings) should have been observed. Because of some of the above failures this did not take place. At this point I stated that for all I know these figures could just be made up. This might be a strong possibility.”

4.11.08 Cambourne - Opening of new centre now 14 months later than first announced 04.11.08
4.11.08 Oadby -  Residents 17 year battle to reduce noise of social events at leisure centre  21.8.08
23.10.08 Harrow -  Police lash out at LC's lack of security  23.10.08
Sergeant Davis wrote: “It has consistenly been apparent that the premises attracted criminality. The management of this premises by the licence holders has ensured the failure to take appropriate steps to prevent crime and disorder, prevent public nuisance, promote public safety and failed to promote the objectives of the protection of children from harm.”
21.10.08 South Holland -  Survey finds LC's leisure contract "flawed"  August 2007
10.10.08 Maldon - Recordings of Drowning Emergency Calls Removed from Web  10.10.08
3.10.08 St Albans - LC ban on snorkels challenged 2.10.08 
28.9.08 Spalding - After more complaints further LC promises to improve  24.7.07 
21.9.08 Oadby & Wigston - Back to basics review by LC after Council notes complaints  12.5.08 
18.9.08  Stoke Mandeville - Stadium criticised for 'run-down' facilities - no repairs after a year of promises 18.9.08
12.9.08  Wokingham - Public not warned of spate of thefts from lockers 12.9.08
12.9.08 Lee Valley -  Users angry as pool closes 3 weeks early due to lack of staff 11.9.08
4.9.08  Maldon - Parents Allege Failures and Sue LC Following Drowning  28.8.08
16.8.08  Brent - Penalities for 8 Willesden PFI Contract Defaults  May 2008
15.8.08   Pooling Resources Campaign Group  -  link to external site
14.8.08  ‘Wokingham - 'Guards didn’t see my boy in swim trouble’ 14.8.08
13.8.08  Brent - H&S Improvement Notice for excessive solids in pool  March - July 2008
             plus Repeated litter on pool floor, Third set of vanity units fail, & Lifeguarding lapses
13.8.08  Harrow - Policed warning after Leisure centre Thefts 24.3..08
13.8.08 Leisure Management Contractors' Association List of Contracts Two Years Out of Date 13.8.08
8.8.08  Maldon - Private Eye on Council Investigation Plus LCW Updates 7.8.08
16.7.08 Lee Valley -  "Bad news for pool, good news for PR"  7.8.08
6.7.08  Danoptra, owner of LC, close to a deal to acquire pubs division of rival - external link 6.7.08
3.7.08   How many lifeguards does a pool need? - HSE Guidance 2003
1.7.08  Maldon - Council to Inquire into Drowning Despite Concerns about Conflict of Interest 27.6.08
26.6.08  Maldon -  What is happening to the enquiry into drowning asks local  26.6.08
24.6.08 Oadby & Wigston - Audit Commission reports satisfaction with leisure among lowest in country March 2008
24.6.08 St Albans - Shortage of  Lifeguards Limits Swimming Sessions 19.6.08
23.6.08  Maldon - More Comments on Lifeguarding in Maldon 23.6.08
19.6.08 Are the lessons from other pool drownings being learned? 19.6.08
19.6.08  Maldon - Claims that pool was not busy and Michelle first spotted by a young swimmer 19.6.08
19.6.07 Maldon - Father of Drowned Girl Claims First Ambulance was Cancelled 18.6.08
16.6.08  LC sold to Swiss led consortium 6.6.08
15.6.08 Maldon - "Lifeguards fail to save girl, 7, from drowning" 15.6.08
20.5.08 Brent - EH find Kids' Pool had 17x Too Much Chlorine 24.4.08
12.5.08  Ely - A Doctor Writes about  Poor Cleaning and Management 17.4.08
25.4.08  Lee Valley - Paper reports pool looks set to close 24.4.05
14.4.08 LC Owner for Sale - LC and other interests have "struggled" says Sunday Times 13.4.08
02.4.08 Advertising Standards Authority slams LC's science but dubious claims continue 2.4.08
02.3.08 South Beds - Cleaning and Staffing Issues Listed in Council Report  28.2.08
02.3.08 Grantham - "Intimidating call" allegation and other issues  29.2.08
20.2.08  St Albans - PR Disaster as Newspaper Calls Bluff on "Ultimatum"   20.2.08 
18.2.08  Lee Valley - Local paper identifies "A catalogue of concerns" 15.2.07  

The Concerns include cleanliness, no evidence of safety checks,  staffing and training worries raised "consistently", high levels of bacteria, excessive chlorine, and pool water testing equipment in "very poor condition".

15.2.08 Brent - Maintenance including a year without replacement for sink unit 
15.2.08 Harrow - LC backed leisure centre plans attacked by Sport England and Sports Council Feb 2008
11.2.08  Deepings - "Girls getting changed in the dark" but no longer "dangerous"  11.2.08 
11.2.08  Same issues but new PR Company for LC  24.1.08 
11.2.07  Wake up and smell the snake oil  21.1.2.0
21.12.07 Brent - Willesden Leisure Centre PFI Hype vs. Reality 21.12.07 
20.12.07 Dunstable - 1000 signature protest against LC ban 11.12..07
18.12.07  Lee Valley - LC declines to comment on complaints of filth, smells, and snubs my manager 7.12.07
18.11.07  Cambourne - Start of construction of new sports centre by LC to be delayed 6 months 14.11.07
10.11.07 Private Eye Reports on LC  9.11.07 
15.10.07 Brent _Sign of the Times - photograph October 2007 
8.10.07 Brent- Councillors "disappointed" with new contract ; Customer satisfaction down 19% 11.9.07
3.10.07 Dunstable - Organizer suggests operational failings by LC 20.6.07
29.9.07 Grantham - Five letters to editor complaining about cleaning, timetables and poor consultation Aug & Sep 2007
26.9.07  Oadby - A user writes to press saying she is not aware of  improvements claimed by LC 21.9.07
25.9.07 Castle Morpeth - Consultants find major failings by LC including "painfully slow" responses April 2007
23.9.07  Oadby - LC Fined £2500 for failing to clean pools properly 15.9.07
3.9.07 Grantham - Swim Club Fees up 25% in three years and not negotiable 6.3.07
29.8.07  Oadby - Audit Commission finds declining use despite LC's 2005 plans to grow customers by 25% July 2007
29.8.07  Castle Morpeth - LC pays "substantial penalty" for "performance failure" March 2007
27.8.07  Cambourne - claim that sale of LC will not effect construction of new sports centre 15.8.07
27.8.07  LC staff views on company's sale sought - external link 23.7.07
24.8.07  LC's websites - Survey finds 8 out of 11 have no bank holiday information 24.8.07
24.8.07 Grantham - Petition against poor cleaning and timetabling  23.8.07
24.8.07 Dunstable - 1700 sign petition after LC stop local event July 2007
23.7.07 Brent - Maintenance issues - pictures  23.7.07
15.7.07  LC for sale for "up to £50 million"  15.7.07 
10.7.07  Lilleshall - LC's "contract  poor and not cost effective" 27.6.07
 8.7.07  Brent - Showers to go out to tender / pool vacuuming sucks  8.7.07
8.7.07  Harpers' 7 for 7 deal - where are the terms and conditions?  8.7.07
8.7.07 Oadby & Wigston - Council "pressure" increases LC's maintenance 22.8.06
 25.3.07 Dunmow - "Public swimming takes a nosedive"  10.5.07
23.5.07 Three Rivers - LC's Data Collection Queried  18.4.07
20.5.07 Lambeth - LC owed Council £103,533.38 in February 2007  18.4.07
20.5.07 Ely - Disabled customers complain about lack of repairs 12.4.07
2.4.07 Lambeth - Streatham - "Filthy swimming pool, mouldy walls & ageing gym equipment"  13.3.07
2.4.07  Lambeth - Brixton users unhappy with gym equipment, state of centre & security March 2007
25.3.07 Lambeth - LC contract ending with confusion and let down for users 8.3.07
13.3.07 Spalding - "Destined to fail if they continue to run things this way" 13.3.07
6.3.07  Brent - Open Letter to Cllr van Colle re. showers still failing after six years 6.3.07
3.3.07  West Berks - LC loses contracts to Parkwood 27.2.07
3.3.07  St Albans - Senior numbers down since price increases 1.3..07
23.2.07 Easington - Councillor finds 50% machines broken, full ashtrays & "deplorable" kitchens 15.2.07
21.2.07 Easington - Complaints about second hand gym equipment 29.1.07
20.2.07 LC and Danoptra Company Accounts 2005 
8.2.07 St Albans -  "Severely neglected" cramped pool with only one lifeguard 8.2.07
5.2.07 St Ives - Another Clissold Type Disaster? 5.2.07
1.2.07  St Albans - Councillor and children denied use of loo by LC
1.2..07  Uttlesford - Algae stops play on tennis court  2.2..07
30.1.07  Is or isn't LC for sale? - Contradictory views of senior managers  30.1.07
26.1.07  LC 's owners post loss of £82 million   26.1.07

20.1.07 Grantham - User protest forces LC climb down on job cut  13.1.06

13.1.07  LC and Danoptra accounts listed as "overdue" at Companies House 13.1.06

13.1.06 Grantham - Highly popular fitness instructor faces redundancy  13.1.06

9.1.07 LC to be sold as Danoptra denies financial problems  9.10.06 

6.1.07  Great Yarmouth  - Marina Centre doing  better as Trust  5.12.06

6.1.07  Lambeth Council "pursuing senior managers" of LC over debt now totaling £33k  7.12.06



      Headings from 2006    Headings from 2004 to 2005 


 How you can help LCW

Send information and copies of complaints. I am interested in any information that relates to the performance of LC.  For details see Contacting LCW. 

Publicising LCW

Want to help  to publicise the website? Check if your local media, Council leisure officers and councillors are aware of it.

Make it known to leisure centre users, sports clubs and local area websites. You can either:

Copy and paste  Leisure Connection Watch onto other website pages and add to html emails   or

For plain text emails, newsletters etc. copy and paste: You can find "Leisure Connection Watch" by entering those words into Google.

Thanks to Contributors

Thanks for the encouragement and items sent to me by dozens of people concerned about the standards of LC. I also appreciate the people who have pointed out  typos and faulty links. If you want your name listed here as a contributor, please specifically authorise this. 

Donations

Until 2006 no donations were sought as the current website comes as part of my ISP package and it doesn't feel like a "cost". More recently I have incurred expenses with some councils when making Freedom of Information requests.  If you wish to send money, please make clear that you have no business or employment links to any LC competitor and specify what, if any, publicity I might give to your support. 

With sufficient, independent  funding I happily would set up a "Leisure Watch" website, reporting issues on all leisure providers. While my time is unpaid my focus will remain on LC and others who may be dissatisfied with their local contractors will need to run their own campaigns.

Thanks to Neil Hutchinson for his financial support of LCW.

Paul Burns                                        Top