Leading leisure and hospitality operator prepares for a new chapter after East Devon District Council leisure contract decision
LED Community Leisure has responded to East Devon District Council’s decision to award the future operation of its sport and leisure services to Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, trading as Everyone Active, following a competitive procurement process and approval by Cabinet.
While LED is significantly disappointed not to have retained a contract that its teams have proudly delivered for more than 20 years, the organistaion will remain as an independent community leisure charity, and continue to operate across East Devon, Somerset and the South Hams through six leisure clubs and two hospitality venues.
The charity is prioritising the wellbeing, security and support of the 400-plus staff members who work within the East Devon leisure contract. The LED teams have given an enormous amount to the communities they serve, and the organisation will be supporting all colleagues through the transition.
LED is working closely with the Council and Everyone Active to achieve a safe, orderly and well-managed handover on 10 January 2027. Existing services will continue as normal during the transition period with continuity for colleagues, customers, clubs and partners. The charity asks members, customers, partners and communities to continue showing its staff the kindness, patience and support they deserve.
As an independent community leisure charity, the Trust will continue to build and grow, providing support and investing in the people, places and communities it serves. The facilities that will continue to be owned and operated by LED Community Leisure include:
- The Grove – Seaton, East Devon (Leisure)
- The Hangar – Axminster, East Devon (Leisure)
- The Engine – Exeter Science Park, East Devon (Leisure)
- The Space – Dartington, South Hams (Leisure)
- Buckler’s Mead – Yeovil, Somerset (Leisure)
- The Cranford Club – Exmouth, East Devon (Leisure)
- Ocean – Exmouth, East Devon (Hospitality)
- Exeter Airport – Exeter, Devon (Hospitality)
These venues will operate as normal beyond January, with a clear focus on continuing to deliver a welcoming, high-quality experience.
The Trust’s award-winning Active Communities work will continue to support the community – the golden thread that runs through LED and enables it to develop partnerships, outreach, volunteering and physical activity opportunities so that good health and wellbeing are not reserved for those who can most easily afford or access them. LED’s purpose remains unchanged: to help people feel better and get more out of life.
With a four-year plan spanning 2026-2029, the Trust’s direction is about stronger communities, being a great place to work, creating sustainable income that can be reinvested locally, and delivering brilliant leisure, hospitality and community experiences. It intends to pursue that future with energy, humility and confidence.
Councillor Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport and Tourism at East Devon District Council, said:
“I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to LED for their partnership with East Devon District Council and for the dedication they have shown in delivering sport and leisure services across the district over the past 20 years. During that time, thousands of residents have benefited from opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing, learn new skills, and take part in activities that bring communities together. LED and its staff have played an important role in supporting those outcomes, and we are grateful for their contribution.”
Olly Swayne, Chief Executive of LED Community Leisure, said:
“Our teams are disappointed with the decision. We wanted to continue serving East Devon through this contract and we put everything we have into making that case. Today my thoughts are first and foremost with our colleagues. They are the people who open the doors, teach children to swim, support someone taking their first step back into activity, welcome customers by name and make our centres feel part of their communities. Looking after them properly through this transition is our absolute priority.
“We are incredibly proud to have delivered vital health and wellbeing services across East Devon for more than two decades and our teams have helped thousands of people across the region to be healthier, happier and more connected. Our contribution and commitment to this will not change.
“LED remains rooted in this area, with six leisure clubs, two hospitality venues and our award-winning Active Communities work. We are excited about the future and have stronger foundations, a clear purpose and the ambition to grow in the right way. We will keep doing what LED was created to do: helping people feel better and get more out of life.”
Richard Purchase, Chair of LED Community Leisure, said:
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank every LED colleague for the professionalism, care and resilience they continue to show. This result is deeply disappointing, but it does not define LED or diminish what our teams have achieved over the past 20 years.
“The Board is determined that LED’s next chapter will be positive and purposeful. We remain committed to the wider communities we serve. We will grow LED and build a sustainable future based on strong relationships, brilliant experiences and genuine personal and community benefit.”
LED would like to thank all of its partners, suppliers, clubs, volunteers, supporters, members and customers for their commitment and friendship over the past two decades. Those relationships have helped make LED what it is today, and it very much hopes they will continue with it on the next part of its journey.