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ESPH Wealden District Council - Leisure and Active Wellbeing Service Contract (ESPH696)

Wealden District Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

18 Dec 2025 at 13:00

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

30 Jul 2025 at 17:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wealden District Council is currently in the tender stage of its procurement process for the Leisure and Active Wellbeing Service Contract (ESPH696). This contract is to operate leisure centres in Crowborough, Hailsham, and Uckfield, including introducing new community-oriented wellness programmes. The contract, valued at £67.5 million with a gross value of £81 million, is set to begin on 1 April 2027 and will run for ten years, with an extension option of up to five additional years. Interested parties should note the competitive flexible procurement procedure being used, with deadlines for initial tenders ending on 27 March 2026. The award decision is expected by December 2026, with services spanning across recreational and sporting sectors in the UKJ22 region.

This procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses in the leisure and wellness sectors, particularly those with expertise in operating multi-facility centres and developing community outreach services. Companies specialising in innovative programme development, sustainability, and marketing will find this tender appealing, given the focus on increasing community participation and reducing inactivity. Additionally, organisations experienced with long-term management contracts and capable of providing cost-effective service solutions can leverage this opportunity to establish a significant presence in East Sussex. The inclusion of a possible contract extension further enhances its appeal for long-term business engagement and growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ESPH Wealden District Council - Leisure and Active Wellbeing Service Contract (ESPH696)

Notice Description

The Contract is for the operation of Crowborough Leisure Centre, Hailsham Leisure Centre and Uckfield Leisure Centre. The Contract also includes the design and delivery of a new Active Wellbeing Service of facility-based and neighbourhood-based programmes. Crowborough Leisure Centre is a wet and dry side leisure facility that was built in 1986. It is located within Goldsmiths Recreation Ground in Crowborough. The facility is owned by Crowborough Town Council and is on a long term lease to the Authority. It is situated in the north of the district and attracts visitors from nearby settlements including Buxted, Mayfield and Rotherfield in addition to those living and visiting the town itself. Dry side facilities at Crowborough Leisure Centre include a 70-station gym, a 4-court sports hall, 2 multipurpose studios, 1 spin studio and a cafe. Wet-side facilities include a 6-lane, 25m swimming pool with a movable pool floor and an 84-seat spectator viewing area. There is also a health suite with a sauna and steam room. Hailsham Leisure Centre is owned by the Authority. Originally built in 1985, it is situated in the town centre of Hailsham and consists of both wet and dry-side facilities. Dry side facilities include an 80-station gym, 3 multipurpose activity studios, 1 spin studio, a soft play centre, 3 treatment rooms, 1 meeting room, an 8-lane ten pin bowling alley and a cafe. Wet-side facilities include a 4-lane 25m swimming pool with an integrated teaching pool and a sauna. Uckfield Leisure Centre is owned by East Sussex County Council and managed by the Authority on a long-term lease basis. Built in 1987, Uckfield Leisure Centre is a dual-use site shared with Uckfield College, a secondary school and sixth form for pupils aged 11 to 18. 2.The centre contains both wet and dry leisure facilities. Dry side facilities include a 46-station fitness gym, 1 squash court, 2 multipurpose activity studios, 1 spin studio and a 4-badminton court sports hall. Wet-side facilities including a 4-lane leisure pool, a 5m splash pool and a flume with water catch. The Operator shall deliver an Active Wellbeing Service of Facility-Based and Neighbourhood-Based programmes. This will shall support the Authority's strategic objectives for the service and contribute towards its wider local strategic priorities, extending the reach and impact of the Services beyond the Core Facilities. The Active Wellbeing Service shall meet the following required outputs: 1. An increase in the number of residents from target groups participating regularly in sport and physical activity. 2. A range of high-quality facility-based and neighbourhood-based programmes aimed at residents who are inactive or not engaging regularly in sport and physical activity 3. A decrease in physically inactive residents 4. An increase in the number of volunteers and volunteering opportunities 5. Increased opportunities for access to sport and physical activity opportunities within priority localities 6. Increased opportunities for access to sport and physical activity opportunities in community settings outside of the core leisure facilities Commencing on 1 April 2027, the Contract is for 10 years, with an option to extend, which may be exercised by the Authority in consultation with the Operator, for a period or periods of up to 5 years. The total possible Contract duration, including extension provision, will therefore be 15 years.

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0001

Renewal: Commencing on 1 April 2027, the Contract is for 10 years, with an option to extend, which may be exercised by the Authority in consultation with the Operator, for a period or periods of up to 5 years. The total possible Contract duration, including extension provision, will therefore be 15 years.

Planning Information

The Council are at an early stage in development of its proposals for the Leisure and Wellbeing Contract and seeks input from the market as to what might be the most advantageous way of packaging and scoping this future procurement opportunity. Prior to undertaking the formal procurement process, which is currently targeted for commencement in December 2025, the Council is seeking to undertake a preliminary market engagement exercise to review in summary: i. Delivery of an outreach programme of community-based outreach services and activities ii. Contract length iii. Views on procurement route iv. Potential risk allocation v. Potential investment schemes and funding options vi. Views on Agency Model and how this might be explored through the tender process vii. Views on potential variant bids The Council wishes to engage with experienced leisure / active wellbeing facility operators and service providers to inform the upcoming procurement process. The Council wishes to understand the current issues and opportunities facing the market in the delivery of these services. The Council has issued a questionnaire for interested operators to complete and is available at the Council procurement portal here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/esph/aspx/Home The deadline for submitting preliminary market engagement questionnaires is Friday 22 August 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05698e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084365-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£67,500,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£67,500,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Dec 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2037 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Wealden District Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
HAILSHAM
Postcode
BN27 2AX
Postcode Area
Brighton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Local Authority
Wealden
Electoral Ward
Hailsham Central
Westminster Constituency
Sussex Weald

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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