The unexpected collapse of Active Nation, the operator of two Lincoln leisure centres, last week was far from a sudden occurrence. The organisation had been grappling with a financial crisis for years, with escalating energy bills cited as a key factor in its downfall. Their submissions to the Charity Commission reveal that the Warwickshire-based charity had been operating at a loss since at least 2019. In the financial year ending March 2023, it reported a loss exceeding £1 million. However, no financial information was filed for the subsequent year. Despite these struggles, Active Nation maintained a public image of resilience and reliability, masking the severity of its financial woes from its customers and staff at Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres. Even in its final days, it continued to sell memberships without hinting at imminent financial collapse. By January 2025, City of Lincoln Council became aware of the organisation’s struggles and privately agreed to provide a support package valued at nearly £500,000 over two years. Yet, due to legal constraints, these concerns were not made public. Councillor Martin Christopher expressed his frustration at the lack of transparency, emphasizing the council’s responsibility to the public. The City of Lincoln Council defended its position, citing potential legal repercussions if confidential information about Active Nation’s financial health was publicly disclosed. The specific conditions of the proposed support package and the reasons for its rejection by Active Nation remain unknown. Post-collapse, attempts to find a new provider to take over the leisure centres have been unsuccessful. Following the closure of the centres on April 2, Active Nation informed staff and customers via email that the centres would remain closed indefinitely, leaving many customers out of pocket. The council has assured that discussions are ongoing with several interested companies, with an emergency Executive meeting scheduled for April 15 to explore potential alternatives.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk.
