One of the UK’s leading not-for-profit leisure trusts has welcomed Gloucester’s Member of Parliament for a visit showcasing major investment and growing community impact at the city’s flagship leisure facility.
Freedom Leisure, which operates GL1 Leisure Centre on behalf of Gloucester City Council, hosted Alex McIntyre for a tour of the centre, where he met staff and customers and learned more about the wide-ranging services available.
During the visit, the MP saw first-hand how GL1 supports the physical, mental and social wellbeing of residents across Gloucester. As a charitable leisure trust, Freedom Leisure reinvests any surplus generated at the facility directly back into local services and programmes — ensuring that every pound benefits the community.
The visit comes as refurbishment works get underway at GL1 as part of the council’s £8 million investment to enhance leisure provision across the city. Improvements include a new gym, an upgraded soft play area, new water play features, inclusive EGYM equipment and energy-efficient lighting.
Responding to customer feedback, the centre is also preparing to launch a new women’s-only gym space, designed to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where women can exercise with confidence and comfort.
GL1 is further strengthening its health impact by expanding its health referral programme and appointing a new lead to drive the initiative forward. The programme supports people looking to improve their health through structured physical activity, often following medical advice.
Working closely with Gloucester City Council, Freedom Leisure delivers services tailored to local needs, while its Healthy Communities team partners with organisations including Active Gloucestershire to provide inclusive programmes for people of all ages and abilities.
The first quarter of the year traditionally represents the busiest period for the leisure sector, with increased demand for gyms, swimming pools and group exercise classes. According to ukactive’s UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2025, 11.5 million people are now members of a health and fitness facility — a trend that continued into 2026 as more people prioritise their wellbeing.
Nick Charlton, Freedom Leisure Area Manager, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alex McIntyre MP to GL1 Leisure Centre and give him an insight into the impact our services have on the local community. Visits like this allow us to demonstrate how our facilities, programmes and partnerships make a real difference to people’s health, wellbeing and sense of connection. As a not-for-profit trust, our focus is always on reinvesting in our facilities and community programmes, supporting Freedom Leisure’s wider vision of improving lives through leisure and ensuring that every initiative delivers tangible benefits for the people we serve.”
Councillor Caroline Courtney, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Gloucester City Council, added: “We welcome the interest in the ambitious improvements taking place at GL1 and Oxstalls following the council’s £8 million investment into the health and wellbeing of our residents. Modern, welcoming and high-quality facilities make sport and exercise more enjoyable and will help to encourage as many people as possible to make use of our leisure centres.”
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, also praised the role of community leisure facilities, saying: “It is great to see MPs visiting their local gyms, pools and leisure facilities which are working tirelessly to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of their communities. The beginning of the year will see a surge of new members who are looking to make lifestyle changes that better their health and wellbeing. Our nation’s gyms, pools and leisure centres are ready to meet this demand and welcome both returning and new members with the support they need to live healthier, more active lives.”