July 9, 2021
Hello
We know many of you will have seen press reports of Sevenoaks District Council’s decision to no longer consider any further financial support for Sencio Community Leisure.
This comes at a time when the entire UK fitness and leisure industry is facing huge challenges.
Some 400 facilities in the country have permanently closed and as many as half could face closure in the next six to 12 months. And we would also like to let you know that one of our neighbouring local authorities has supported its leisure operator to the tune of £1.2 million (more than twice the amount we have received).
However, as the saying goes, “we are where we are and not where we want to be” – and the purpose of this newsletter is to let you know that as far as the Sencio team is concerned it is business as usual. Your favourite class, gym session, round of golf or swim are unaffected by any of what you may read in the press or hear within the local community.
There are though some points I’d like to mention.
Firstly, a huge “thank you” to all our customers for their patience and understanding over the past 17 months.
We know it’s not been easy, and we also know we won’t always have got it completely right, but I am absolutely chuffed by the many comments and letters we’ve had from people telling us about the hugely important role their leisure and fitness routine is to both their physical and mental wellbeing. Something, following the past year or so, with which I’m sure many of us will identify.
Secondly, I want to thank our staff. None of this has been easy – for any of us – but it’s especially challenging in an industry such as ours that has been so devastated by events. Our aim has always been to offer whichever services we can in line with the current legislation whilst, at the same time, offering as safe and inclusive an experience as possible.
With regards to the redevelopment of the White Oak Leisure Centre site, we are currently working with Sevenoaks District Council and the operator of the new facility, Everyone Active. We (and they) will keep you updated as the work progresses and looks to completion in January 2022.
Finally, we have lots planned for the coming months, both in enhancing existing services and reintroducing certain activities that we had to halt due to the pandemic.
If you don’t already, please do sign-up to our mailing list to receive all the latest information, offers and news.
Thank you again for your understanding – and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Jane Parish
Chief Executive
