Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

West Lancs village takes over leisure centre as CIC

‘Our aim is to create a hub for local residents that will offer something for everyone’

Villagers in West Lancashire village now run their own leisure centre following a successful asset transfer.

Banks Leisure Centre, which is owned by the Department of Health and Social Care, was previously operated by West Lancashire Borough Council as part of a long-term lease agreement.

The council’s lease came to an end in March, and the parish and borough councils have worked with a number of partners to safeguard the future of the facility.

This work has resulted in the formation of a new Community Interest Company, Banks Community and Leisure Centre CIC, who have taken on the lease for the building.

The new company will now work with a range of partners including North Meols Parish Council, Endeavour Community and West Lancashire Borough Council to operate the facility as a hub for the community in Banks, a large village near Southport.

The centre will continue to host a range of sports and community sessions and hopes to add a range of new sessions in partnership with the community.

Bill Abram, chair of North Meols Parish Council and a director of the new CIC, said: “The leisure centre will be run by the community and for the community of Banks. Our aim is to create a hub for local residents that will offer something for everyone. We have recruited a number of local volunteers who are willing to help and support us in a range of tasks that will help with the day to day operation of the building.

“Additionally, our new company has Community Interest status which will allow us to apply for a range of different funding sources and grants and this will make the operation of the facility more sustainable in the future.”