The short-term future of Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Fitness Centre is uncertain after Teme Leisure – who run the centre on Shropshire Council’s behalf – told the council that they wish to stop running it after the removal of a grant by the previous administration.
Having served six months’ notice in June [2025], Teme Leisure’s decision will mean that the centre will close to the public on 3 December 2025 if no other options are found, with negotiations so far ending with no progress.
Use of the centre for educational purposes would continue.
James Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and leisure, said:
“We are very disappointed that Teme Leisure wish to stop running the centre, despite its obvious community benefits to the residents of Cleobury Mortimer and the surrounding areas.
“An accepted report from the previous administration ended a five-year grant to Teme Leisure from 1 April this year, which they had used to help support the running of the centre. Unfortunately, given the inherited budget, the new administration’s hands are tied when it comes to revenue support.
“We continue to explore other options for the centre, and hope that our push for partnership working may bring about a resolution, but the real risk now is that the centre will need to close for a short period of time.”
In the longer-term, the council is reviewing its leisure services, and this includes Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Fitness Centre.
Councillor Owen added:
“With the leisure services contract procurement process soon being developed, there are opportunities to ensure that the longer-term futures of our county’s leisure centres, especially in our more rural locations such as Cleobury Mortimer, can be secured.”
