Uckfield is headquarters of flourishing leisure provider

The Freedom Leisure Centre in Uckfield attracts thousands of people who enjoy the pool, gym and other sporting facilities at the site.

But those visitors might not know that the town also accommodates the headquarters of the centre’s parent organisation which has grown to be a major force in the provision of leisure facilities across Sussex and has a foothold in Kent.

The roots of Freedom Leisure lie in Wealden. The founders of the not-for-profit organisation worked for the district council looking after leisure centres in Crowborough, Hailsham and Heathfield as well as Uckfield until being encouraged to break away as a charitable trust so gaining the freedom to expand and reinvest income in the facilities it offers.

The strategy was a complete success. There has been major investment in the Wealden centres and Freedom Leisure now runs a total of 19 centres across two counties.

The latest, added to its portfolio this year from July include the three Olympos leisure centres in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath owned by Mid Sussex District Council. In partnership with Greenwich Leisure it will also take over the management of Clair Hall in Haywards Heath and Martlets Hall in Burgess Hill.

Other sites run by Freedom Leisure include Helenswood, Summerfields, Falaise and Hillcrest at Hastings, a leisure centre and pool at Bexhill, Hassocks sports centre, a leisure centre at Sandwich, one at Rye and the one of the country’s flagship leisure centres, the K2 at Crawley.

The company places great emphasis on forging and developing strong links with local communities. It serves people of every age, ability and attitude but also recognises the need for niche segments so develops special schemes for senior citizens, teenagers, GP referrals, pre and postnatal mothers, ethnic groups and more.

It has invested more than £5 million, since it was launched in April 2002, in facilities and equipment and has an ambitious expansion programme for the future aiming to win further leisure management contracts in the South East.

Managing director, Jeff Hart said: ‘We have a loyal, efficient and hardworking team of staff at our head office in Uckfield who support highly trained people across Freedom Leisure sites. We are confident of being able to ensure top class leisure provision at our existing sites in the future and bring our expertise to bear in other areas too.’

Freedom Leisure Factfile