SOMERSET Council has stepped in to protect leisure services in the east of the county, including in Frome, after operator Fusion Lifestyle went into administration.

The council has committed £370,000 to keep the affected leisure centres open.

It is business as usual for gym and swimming facilities in Frome, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury and Street with all continuing to operate for the next three months while a new operator is lined up.

Fusion Leisure went into administration on Wednesday (April 1), with professional services company S&W appointed as administrator to run Fusion on a temporary basis for three months.

Somerset Council aims to ensure a new operator will be in place to take over after the interim period.

The key decision to sign the agreement with S&W was the need to keep centres running for schools and the public, to ensure the health and wellbeing needs of the communities involved continue to be met.

Customers and regular members are encouraged to keep using their gym or swimming pool and to maintain memberships which will continue into any new contract period with an alternative operator.

The administrator has met with all Fusion staff at facilities to reassure them that operations are continuing as normal and to outline that the aim will be for most staff to be able to transfer to any new operator.

Somerset Council’s lead member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said: “Getting another operator on board to run these facilities is our number one priority; we know how vital they are to communities and schools.

“It’s disappointing that the centres are in this situation, but we have taken swift action to ensure all services will continue to run as normal until a new operator is on board.

“If you are a member or regular user, please do nothing different, keep enjoying the gym, pool or other facilities, it is business as usual.

“We hope to have a seamless transition from administration into a new contract as soon as possible.”

Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine has launched a petition to keep the leisure centre open under the new contract. She has repeatedly highlighted issues at Frome Leisure Centre.

She said: “Fusion have been responsible for a very variable service for Frome residents for years, with constant complaints about the pool, changing rooms, outside courts, squash courts and gym, while also failing to compensate paying members for their lost payments.

“I am outraged that it has come to this point, and that once again residents of Frome will be left suffering.

“The knock-on effect for residents, children learning to swim, and Frome College students who use the facilities will be massive, and quick action needs to be taken to mitigate the fallout from this.

“It’s brilliant that the council has recognised the need for immediate action to keep the doors open, but the prospects of the leisure centre remains unclear.

“We must take serious measures to ensure public entities like this are saved and safeguarded for the future.”