May/June 2025 . £8 www.paf-media.co.uk Designing for play How the UK is rethinking outdoor spaces Also in this issue: From prescriptions to partnerships Can the NHS and the fitness and leisure sector truly join forces? A grand slam for Wimbledon Hopkins Architects’ award-winning Indoor Tennis Centre
Making public leisure sustainable and building healthier communities. Alliance Leisure are a trusted and experienced leisure development partner, with over 25 years’ experience transforming leisure facilities for local authorities. allianceleisure.co.uk £440m+ investment in local authority leisure 25+ years in business 280+ completed projects Scan here to learn more about what we do. development partner #TransformingLeisure Chard Leisure Centre Value: £15.6m Abbey Leisure Centre Value: £3.5m SC2 Value: £17m
paf-media.co.uk 3 leader Designing for play Kompan’s town-themed playground concept Editor Helen Adkins Media sales manager Terry Stafford Production Nicola Cann Design Gemma England Managing director Toby Filby Publishers Stable Publishing Limited SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. info@stable-media.co.uk www.paf-media.co.uk The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. A critical collaboration for the nation’s health AS the UK grapples with mounting healthcare pressures – from an ageing population and rising chronic illness to widening health inequalities – one truth is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: the NHS cannot tackle this crisis alone. Prevention, early intervention and community-based support must play a bigger role in our national health strategy. In this issue, we explore one of the most promising developments in this space - the growing partnership between the NHS and the leisure and fitness sector. We take a close look at how these two worlds are beginning to converge, driven by shared goals and a growing recognition that physical activity is not just a lifestyle choice, but a critical component of public health. From the rollout of social prescribing and GP referral schemes to the development of NHS-backed wellness hubs within leisure centres, the pieces are slowly starting to come together. Operators are increasingly being seen not just as fitness providers, but as part of the healthcare ecosystem – offering services and environments that support rehabilitation, mental health and long-term condition management. Yet, turning partnership into practice is not without its hurdles. Systemic fragmentation, funding challenges and cultural disconnects between sectors mean progress is patchy and slow. What’s clear, however, is the scale of the opportunity. If the health and fitness industry can align more closely with NHS priorities – while retaining the innovation and agility that defines the commercial sector – there’s potential to radically improve population health and ease longterm pressure on public services. In the same spirit of rethinking where health begins, this issue also features a look at the playground sector – another vital but often overlooked part of the wellbeing landscape. With calls growing for a new National Play Strategy, we examine how local authorities, designers and suppliers are working to reinvigorate play spaces across the UK. At a time when children’s physical activity levels are declining and mental health challenges are rising, the importance of safe, inclusive and engaging outdoor environments cannot be overstated. These are the spaces where lifelong habits around movement, socialisation and emotional resilience are formed. What unites both of these features is a shift in perspective – an understanding that health doesn’t just happen in hospitals or clinics, but in everyday places: in leisure centres, playgrounds, parks and community hubs. Whether it’s through structured exercise or unstructured play, these environments provide opportunities for prevention, connection and empowerment, in addition to improving the health of the nation. Helen Adkins Editor helen.adkins@stable-media.co.uk SUPPORTED BY
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paf-media.co.uk 5 contents paf-media.co.uk inside this issue 07 News • Latest updates on planning approvals, expansions and completions in the leisure centre sector • Ten Health & Fitness launches tenreformer, a boutique franchise focused on Dynamic Reformer Pilates • Sport for Confidence CIC partners with Activity Alliance launch Include to Improve, a two-year programme expanding opportunities for disabled people in sport and physical activity • CIMSPA unveils a one-stop online Careers Hub, offering tailored support for those starting or progressing a career in sport and physical activity 12 Working with the NHS From prescriptions to partnerships — exploring collaboration between the NHS and the fitness sector, with expert insight and standout projects 18 A grand slam in design As Wimbledon begins, the spotlight turns to Hopkins Architects’ award-winning indoor tennis centre at the All England Lawn Tennis Club 23 Profile: Colin Berry, founder of Find My Gym From barbells to business — how Sell My Gym is helping personal trainers become gym owners 26 Spotlight: Porchester Spa restoration Christine Hartigan, architect at Space&Place, shares the story behind the sensitive restoration of this Grade II listed spa in the heart of London, and explains how it was brought back to life for a new generation 32 Project focus: Old Trafford stadium Foster + Partners’ visionary redevelopment plans signal a bold new era for Manchester United and the Greater Manchester region 36 Interview: Jamie Buck, CTO at Leisure DB Discussing Leisure DB’s latest innovations and their potential impact on the fitness and leisure sector 39 FitTech: Pioneering a new era in fitness innovation Technology is transforming fitness — meet the key players shaping the way we train, track progress and stay engaged 44 Reclaiming play From timber adventure zones to interactive digital spaces, we explore the future of indoor and outdoor play 49 Sports pitch lighting design Martin Heaward of Performance iN Lighting explains the essentials of good lighting design and its critical role in sports environments
25-26 Sept 2025 The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Warwickshire 020 8288 1080 www.paf-forum.co.uk meet. connect. do business physical activities facilities forum The physical activity facilities forum offers you meaningful networking opportunities in a relaxed, social environment with senior level professionals working on active sport & leisure facilities and wellness centres. A leading business event for those working in physical activity facilities in sport, leisure and recreation and play Secure your space today Attend as a complimentary buyer georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk Attend as a supplier danny@stable-events.co.uk
paf-media.co.uk 7 news A brand new one-stop online Careers Hub has been launched by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), offering tailored support for those looking to start or progress a career in the sport and physical activity sector. The new platform aims to make it easier for job seekers, professionals, employers, small businesses and educators to access valuable resources in one central location. It includes a live jobs board featuring vacancies from recognised employers, detailed career pathways, guidance on self-employment and access to highquality endorsed training options. This launch comes at a time when the UK unemployment rate is at 4.4%, with almost one million 16–24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET). The Careers Hub aims to open up opportunities for young people and job seekers by providing accessible, sectorspecific advice and tools to navigate the job market more effectively. In a further enhancement, the Training Academy for Sport and Physical Activity will now be housed within the new Careers Hub, making all CIMSPA-endorsed training options easier to find and compare. The hub not only supports individuals, but also helps employers. It provides advice on recruitment, onboarding processes and employee retention strategies — key issues currently facing organisations across the sector. Natasha Eason, associate director of Education at CIMSPA, said: ‘Many young people are not aware of the vast number of roles that are available in the sport and physical activity sector, so the Careers Hub is a great place for them to discover fascinating roles that align with their interests. For those that are already working in our sector and are looking to develop their career, the Careers Hub will empower individuals to take the next step in their career and find a clear pathway that’s suitable for their professional journey. ‘We also know that recruitment and retention of high-quality professionals is a significant challenge for employers, so providing that guidance on the CIMSPA Careers Hub is imperative. Supporting our talented workforce and their employers to thrive is vital to the success of our sector.’ The CIMSPA Careers Hub is now live and can be accessed at: https://careers.cimspa.co.uk CIMSPA launches all-new Careers Hub for the physical activity sector
8 paf-media.co.uk news Kingston Leisure Centre Planning permission has been granted for the new leisure centre in Kingston town centre. The approved design will be housed in a sustainably designed building, and will feature an eight-lane (25m) swimming pool, a training and teaching pool, a health suite and a gym, plus cycling and activity studios, a sports hall, squash courts, a soft play area and a café. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025, with the new building set to open in spring 2027. Haden Hill Leisure Centre Planning permission has been approved by Sandwell Council’s Planning Authority. The entire facility will be demolished TEN Health & Fitness has announced the launch of its new boutique franchise concept, tenreformer, focused exclusively on Dynamic Reformer Pilates. Building on 18 years of expertise and success across ten London studios, Ten is expanding its reach to bring high-quality Pilates to a broader audience. tenreformer distils the brand’s proven approach into a scalable, accessible and community-driven model. Backed by a £1.5m investment from Foresight VCT, the brand plans national and international studio launches. Each tenreformer franchise will feature 16–20 reformers, trained coaches, and a consistent standard of excellence ensured through Ten’s proprietary instructor training programme. Founder Joanne Mathews says the move is a natural evolution: ‘We want to bring more Pilates to more people in more places. tenreformer reflects our values and reputation for quality while giving franchisees full support to succeed.’ For an initial investment of £25k, franchisees receive a ‘studio-in-a-box’ solution, covering everything from site selection and training to marketing and operations. www.tenreformer.com Ten Health & Fitness launches boutique franchise brand, tenreformer Leisure centre news and rebuilt, with the finished building providing a swimming pool, a learner pool and two multi-purpose studios, as well as a 100-station gym, a 27-station indoor cycling studio, a four-court sports hall and a dedicated community room. The project is expected to break ground in November 2025, with a completion date of spring 2027. Cranleigh Leisure Centre Planning permission has been approved for Cranleigh Leisure Centre in Surrey. The existing centre, now over 55 years old, will be demolished once the new one is built. The new leisure centre will use 60% less energy per square metre than the old building, and the council is expecting a 75% reduction in annual operational carbon emissions. It will offer a six-lane (25m) swimming pool, a teaching pool with a moveable floor, a large gym, and two multi-purpose exercise and activity studios. There will also be a spin studio, a soft play facility and a café. GT3 Architects is the lead designer, with the centre expected to be the fourth leisure centre in the UK to achieve Passivhaus accreditation. Construction
paf-media.co.uk 9 news is set to commence in autumn 2025, with the new leisure centre expected to open in spring 2027. Jubilee Sports Centre The University of Southampton has unveiled a £24.7m expansion of its Jubilee Sports Centre, designed by GT3 Architects, significantly enhancing facilities for students and local residents. Now one of the largest gyms in the city, the development includes a 200-station fitness suite, indoor cycling and fitness studios, a climbing and bouldering wall, and new squash courts. These dry-side facilities integrate with the existing six-lane pool. There’s also a social café, yoga garden and open design to promote wellbeing and community engagement. Whitchurch Pool & Fitness Centre The £13.7m centre has officially been completed. The state-of-the-art facility, developed in partnership with Alliance Leisure and procured through the UK Leisure Framework (UKLF), opened its doors in March. The new leisure centre replaces the former facility, which was closed in 2020 due to structural issues. The new centre has a 25-metre, six-lane community pool with a movable floor, a 41-station fitness suite, multi-purpose rooms and a café. Whitchurch Pool & Fitness Centre Jubilee Sports Centre, University of Southampton
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paf-media.co.uk 11 news SPORT for Confidence CIC has teamed up with Activity Alliance to launch Include to Improve, a two-year programme designed to create more opportunities for disabled people to take part, volunteer and work in sport and physical activity. Backed by Sport England’s Recover and Reinvent fund, the initiative will tackle the barriers hindering disabled people’s full participation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-ofliving crisis. Everyone has a right to experience physical activity and sport which, for the individual, can empower, provide meaningful choice and a sense of belonging, whilst also strengthening communities and driving economic growth,’ explains Aimee Nuttall, occupational therapist and Include to Improve lead, Sport for Confidence. ‘This new programme embodies this ethos by prioritising the needs, aspirations and lived experiences of disabled people, working with partners to reshape the landscape of physical activity and sport.’ Disabled people continue to face significant obstacles in accessing these opportunities. In 2023, the employment rate for disabled people stood at just 53% compared to 82% for non-disabled individuals. Include to Improve will reshape this reality through meaningful collaboration with individuals, organisations and strategic partners dedicated to creating sustainable opportunities and systemic change. A key element of the programme is the creation of a Lived Experience Network, providing a safe and supportive space for disabled people to share their insights and experiences. Families, carers and supporters of those unable to share their own perspectives will also be encouraged to contribute. A Strategic Partner Network will also be established to unite organisations from across sectors, including disability sports bodies, health services and the leisure industry. The group will work together to develop sustainable, inclusive solutions. With Sport for Confidence and Activity Alliance’s support, partners will be equipped to enhance existing services or pioneer new approaches, with funding available to help bring innovative ideas to life. sportforconfidence.com Sport For Confidence and Activity Alliance launch Include to Improve
12 paf-media.co.uk partnerships IN a compelling address at ukactive’s Active Uprising in March 2025, Paul Corrigan CBE, strategic advisor to the Secretary of State for Health, laid out a stark reality: ‘The ageing population is growing considerably over the next 10 years and it’s a sicker population. If we carry on doing what we're doing in the same way... the health service will collapse.’ He went on to challenge the long-held mindset that the NHS owns the nation’s health: ‘As a service, because the health service is so large and important, it thinks it makes the weather, but actually it doesn’t. It can only work as part of a social, economic ecosystem, which is wider than itself. ‘The only people who own their own health is ourselves. Health must be supported across all of society – not just in clinical settings – and that means bringing in expert partners from the leisure and fitness sector.’ Corrigan’s message was unequivocal – the NHS cannot go it alone. In his view, healthcare must be reframed as a shared societal responsibility — with the leisure and fitness sector playing a major role. Recent UK health policy has increasingly embraced the ‘exercise is medicine’ philosophy. The 2019 NHS Long Term Plan prioritised prevention and personalised care, including a major expansion of social prescribing. By 2023/24, every GP practice in England was to have access to a link worker, with over 1,000 in place and an ambition to refer 900,000+ people to community activities by 2024. This target was achieved ahead of schedule and, by 2023, over 3,000 link workers were employed across England. The ’Big Pivot’ The potential benefits of social prescribing are enormous, yet NHS/fitness industry collaboration remains often fragmented and inconsistent. Access depends heavily on local initiatives, and with no national NHS model, UK funding is patchy. Without sustained investment, and with public health budgets hit over the last 10 years, many schemes fizzle out after pilots. Sarah Berne is Serco’s first National Active Wellbeing Manager, a role created in response to the sector’s ‘Big Pivot’ towards the nation’s wellbeing. The position reflects a growing recognition that organisations need dedicated leadership and strategy to deliver meaningful health outcomes through leisure services. Since taking on the role, Berne has been touring sites nationwide to assess how each is progressing on the active wellbeing agenda. What she’s found is a mixed picture when it comes to collaboration with the NHS: ‘Birmingham is doing loads of community-based work, but not as much NHS-focused work. Shropshire is the opposite – strong NHS links, less community engagement. Kent is right at the beginning of the journey.’ Meanwhile, some regions, such as Greater Manchester, have long been ahead of the curve. GM Active, for instance, has had a prominent role in standardising health referral programmes across the region. This patchiness, Berne explains, is not unique to Serco and is often the result of limited budgets: ‘Some areas went from four staff to one, or had to From prescriptions to partnerships Can the NHS and fitness sector truly join forces? As the NHS faces mounting pressure and health inequalities deepen, physical activity is increasingly seen as a frontline defence. But despite promising pilots and policies, the integration of healthcare and fitness remains fragmented. We look at the issues and challenges ‘Health must be supported across all of society – not just in clinical settings – and that means bringing in expert partners from the leisure and fitness sector’
paf-media.co.uk 13 partnerships shut the programme entirely,’ she says. ‘It’s frustrating because we know these programmes save money in the long term by keeping people healthier and out of hospital.’ She acknowledges that NHS integration is complex. Much of the work Serco is doing relates to long-term condition management and how this fits within the evolving structure of the health system. She explains that previously, services like GPs (primary care), hospitals (secondary care), community nursing, adult social care and public health often operated in silos. Now, Intergrated Care Systems (ICS) are driving a shift towards shared budgets and place-based care, with more emphasis on joining up services across a local footprint – such as Birmingham or Greater Manchester. Within these systems, Serco is increasingly working with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) – smaller, community-level partnerships made up of GPs, nurses, social prescribers and voluntary organisations. She says: ‘We’ve been taught to go to the GP as the first port of call, but sometimes people present with issues that aren’t medical. That’s where we come in.’ Further challenges Another major barrier is the cultural divide between the NHS and the health and fitness sector. While the NHS tends to be evidence-driven and risk-averse, the leisure industry is more customer-focused and wellbeing-oriented. As ukactive has observed, stakeholders often have ‘conflicting and inconsistent views of the evidence’, which can make collaboration more difficult. Trust and confidence are also ongoing challenges. Not all fitness professionals are adequately prepared to work with clinical populations, and many clinicians remain hesitant to refer patients into exercise programmes. Although more personal trainers now hold Level 3 Exercise Referral qualifications, uptake varies widely across the country. Matt Russell, general manager at the Riverbourne Club in Chertsey, says that the staff and management are passionate about doing more with the NHS, despite being a private club. However, it has taken time and effort. He explains: ‘I think the challenge around engaging with the NHS is really about trust. Like with any outreach, whether it’s with a corporate partner or the NHS, it’s about building trust, developing relationships and really ‘Not all fitness professionals are ready to work with clinical populations, while many clinicians lack confidence in referring’
14 paf-media.co.uk partnerships understanding what they need – what their issues and challenges are, and how we can help solve them. In turn, they want to understand our motivations – why we want to be involved and what’s in it for us. ‘We spent a lot of time knocking on doors and just getting people at the NHS to talk about how we could partner and utilise our facilities. We were lucky that the team at Saint Peter's NHS who head up the MSK division were really proactive and forward thinking, so they got behind the idea. But it took time, and it’s grown slowly. Whenever get a little bit of free space, the first thing we'll do is speak to the NHS to tell them that this space is now available. ‘Then, of course, it comes down to practicalities like budgets – what they can afford and what resources they have. And for us, as a business, we need to make sure it’s commercially viable too, especially if we’re giving up space or committing staff time.’ Another issue is data integration. NHS and leisure sector IT systems are not currently connected, which complicates efforts to track outcomes. A GP might refer a patient, but might not know if a referred patient attended a session. Likewise, exercise professionals may lack access to important information such as medical histories or fitness-to-participate clearances, limiting their ability to personalise support safely. Finally, engagement remains a significant hurdle – especially for people unfamiliar with fitness environments. Without personalised support, drop-out rates are high. As a result, link workers and instructors must build confidence to break psychological barriers, and help individuals feel safe and supported in taking that first step into physical activity. Dr Gillian Sweeney, occupational therapy advanced practitioner (Stroke) at NHS Lanarkshire and based at University Hospital Wishaw, agrees that collaboration between the NHS and the fitness sector remains inconsistent. She highlights successful examples in South Lanarkshire, where individuals nearing the end of their rehabilitation can attend a free six-week programme at a local gym or leisure centre. She also notes the value of integrated care, particularly where occupational therapists are based in every GP practice across the region: ‘The OTs can then signpost and support that person to lead a better life, then increase their wellbeing, mental health or their exercise.’ However, she believes the real challenge lies in achieving early intervention – and addressing the psychological barriers that prevent people from accessing physical activity in the first place. She says: ‘Someone once said that, instead of pulling people out of the river, go further upstream and think about why they fell in in the first place.’ That upstream thinking also means tackling the intimidation factor of gym environments, which can deter those unfamiliar with fitness settings from engaging. ‘There are ways around that for leisure centres,’ Sweeney points out, ‘like making time in the gym for particular groups of people, having more customised gym equipment and offering a light touch ‘…instead of pulling people out of the river, go further upstream and think about why they fell in in the first place’
paf-media.co.uk 15 partnerships support from trainers who can support those with specific needs. I’m not sure those things are there at the moment.’ Forward thinking Despite the challenges, there are encouraging signs that the fitness and leisure sector is beginning to speak the NHS’s language. For instance, ukactive’s Leading the Change report recommends increasing the sector’s visibility within social prescribing pathways and improving data collection to better feed information back to the NHS. Looking to the future, the potential rewards of a stronger NHS–fitness sector partnership are significant. According to ukactive, 5 million new members could join gyms and leisure centres by 2030, increasing participation from 15% to 20% of the population, driven largely by health-based outreach. Sarah Berne underscores the urgency of that shift: ‘There’s a stat – it’s something like, by 2030, 40% of the working-age population will be living with a long-term condition. That’s huge. It’s no longer just about older people getting ill – it’s people leaving the workforce due to diabetes, anxiety, back pain and so on.’ This is where she sees the leisure sector playing a crucial role in supporting the management of long-term conditions through physical activity: ‘In the past, there’s been mistrust – will GPs feel confident referring patients to gym staff? But we’re saying, “We’re skilled, we’re ready. Send them to us!”’ The bottom line is that deeper collaboration between the NHS and the fitness and leisure sector is no longer optional. The challenge now is to empower local leaders with the freedom and resources to innovate – and to ensure that national policy supports, rather than dictates, local solutions. Corrigan, speaking to health and fitness professionals at Active Uprising, made this point clearly. He stressed that neighbourhood-based models, involving GPs, pharmacists, the voluntary sector and fitness professionals, are essential for building a sustainable healthcare system. ‘The NHS has been a really bad partner and it cannot afford to continue to be... So, how do we construct a series of opportunities out there where people can help?’ His message is clear: the health and fitness sector must be in the room – at policy level, at local delivery level and within communities – because the NHS cannot meet the nation's health challenges alone. Success stories • Riverbourne Leisure Club in Chertsey, part of the Runnymede Leisure Trust, shows how smaller operators can integrate at a local level. Working with NHS partners, it delivers Exercise Referral Schemes, supports cancer rehabilitation and offers inclusive sessions for older adults, neurodiverse users and those with mobility challenges. • Mytime Active provides commissioned NHS services in weight management, Type 2 diabetes prevention, smoking cessation and healthy lifestyle support. Flagship initiatives like MyWeight and MEND (for childhood obesity) are delivered by multidisciplinary teams including nutritionists and behaviour change experts. • Alliance Leisure supports NHS integration through the design and development of health-focused facilities. Many of its projects incorporate spaces for social prescribing, prehabilitation and rehab services, and its Active Wellbeing Hubs aim to co-locate healthcare, social care and leisure. Through its TA6 brand, it also helps operators deliver measurable behaviour change programmes. • Places Leisure is expanding NHS partnerships via Exercise Referral Schemes, falls prevention, cancer rehab and weight management programmes. It also offers quiet sessions, dementiafriendly classes and inclusive facilities. In a further drive to target the hardto-reach groups, the operator has just introduced a team of social prescriber link workers as part of its Healthy Communities strategy. • Everyone Active works closely with ICSs, PCNs and social prescribing link workers, delivering exercise referral, cancer prehabilitation and rehabilitation programmes. It’s also commissioned for weight management services and has invested in impact reporting, with cancer awareness messaging in 230+ centres. • GLL, the UK’s largest leisure social enterprise, embeds Exercise on Referral programmes into many of its contracts. Staff are trained to Level 3 and 4, ensuring clinical confidence. GLL works with ICSs and PCNs to support placebased prevention and long-term condition management. • Pendle Leisure Centre converted an underused space into a Feelgood Suite, now a thriving health hub for cardiac, stroke and mobility patients aged 60–70+. With 230+ members and a 66% ROI, it's both a financial and social success. • Parkwood Leisure, via its not-forprofit Legacy Leisure arm, now uses the ReferAll platform across 20 centres to manage referral-based health programmes, including cardiac, stroke, cancer rehab and MSK support. • A stroke rehabilitation pilot in East Sussex, led by Active Sussex and NHS partners, provided supervised physical activity in hospitals and the community. Results included a 50% improvement in balance and 34% better sit-to-stand ability. • GM Active has standardised referral programmes across Greater Manchester. Its standout Prehab4Cancer programme prepares patients for treatment with tailored physical activity and is seen as a national model of best practice. • Nuffield Health is supporting 4,000 NHS workers with MSK conditions via its Joint Pain Programme, offering 12 weeks of rehab and 12 weeks of free access. The initiative has already improved function by 37% and cut joint pain by 35%.
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paf-media.co.uk 17 event preview JOIN us for the physical activity facilities forum 2025, the premier forum for professionals involved in the design, build and management of physical activity facilities. Taking place once again at the renowned Belfry Hotel & Resort, we will be celebrating the 10th year of the paf forum in the brand-new Masters Suite. Built for health: The facilities powering the movement From gyms to health hubs, the spaces we create are now central to how we live, move and thrive, and the paf forum will spotlight how innovative, inclusive and sustainable facility strategies can meet the growing pressures on health, fitness, budgets and communities. With public health needs and participation goals evolving, this year’s paf forum will explore how our sector can adapt, innovate and thrive. Expect high-level discussion in the seminar sessions, chaired by David Stalker, strategic advisor to the health, fitness and leisure industry, in addition to extensive networking with the operators, suppliers and thought leaders who are shaping physical activity infrastructure. If you’d like to join us for paf’s 10th anniversary, please get in touch with Danny Melling – danny@stable-events.co.uk What past delegates say ‘The Belfry was a great venue with everything meeting expectations. Meeting quality was better this year with many clients already familiar with our brand and thinking ahead to how they might integrate us into their clubs. Maybe it was the result of the seeds we’d sown last year!’ ‘I felt lucky to attend the forum this year and meet some really interesting and friendly people. The communication, help and guidance in the run-up was excellent, as was the warm welcome at the event. I’m looking forward to seeing how, over the next 12 months, we can implement some of the thinking discussed with speakers and delegates.’ ‘Great schedule, well organised and solid entertainment throughout – thank you!’ paf 2025 What: physical activity facilities forum 2025 Where: The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield When: 25-26 Sept 2025 Contribute to the conversation We’re shaping the 2025 speaker programme now – and we’d love your input. Whether you’d like to suggest a topic, propose a speaker idea or express interest in speaking yourself, please get in touch with: Georgie Smith – Delegate Relations Manager georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk Plus! paf Golf Day 24 September 2025 Once again, our paf Golf Day will be held at The Belfry’s PGA Course – a perfect warm-up for the main event and a fantastic way to network in a relaxed setting.
18 paf-media.co.uk project in design Hopkins Architects’ award-winning indoor courts A grand slam As the Wimbledon Championships begin, the spotlight is not only on the tennis but also on the architecture that supports it. Earlier this year, Hopkins Architects received the RIBA London Award 2025 for their latest project at the All England Lawn Tennis Club: the new Indoor Tennis Centre. We take a closer look at the development THE All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the spiritual home of lawn tennis, is known not only for its championships but for its continual drive to refine and future-proof its infrastructure. When the club commissioned Hopkins Architects to design the new indoor courts, the brief was clear – create a highperformance space for year-round training that reflects the club’s heritage, as well as its commitment to environmental responsibility.
paf-media.co.uk 19 project With their reputation for sensitive and sustainable design, Hopkins Architects embraced this challenge. The result was a collection of six state-of-the-art indoor courts and an associated amenities building, set within the tree-lined landscape of Wimbledon Park. From the outset, the architects faced a design paradox – how to introduce a modern, high-tech facility into one of the most tradition-steeped landscapes in global sport. Their solution was rooted in restraint, elegance and contextual sensitivity. With its sweeping, low-profile form, the roof structure takes cues from the nearby landscape and the rhythm of the AELTC’s existing buildings. A series of timber portals span across the courts, echoing the rhythm of the tennis court lines below while allowing natural light to flood the interiors. This strategy reduces the building’s visual impact from surrounding viewpoints and creates a visually calm and acoustically tuned environment for training. Materiality and sustainability Central to the project was its sustainability strategy. At a time when climateconscious construction is a necessity, the architects delivered a low-energy, low-carbon facility. The structure makes use of engineered timber, with glulam beams and crosslaminated timber (CLT) elements that are ‘From the outset, Hopkins Architects faced a design paradox – how to introduce a modern, high-tech facility into one of the most tradition-steeped landscapes in global sport’
20 paf-media.co.uk project both elegant and structurally expressive. The use of timber not only sequesters carbon but creates a warm, tactile interior experience, elevating what could be a purely functional space into something serene and contemplative. The building is also naturally ventilated, with integrated rooflights that modulate sunlight and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Air source heat pumps provide efficient heating, while carefully zoned lighting systems adapt to player needs and energy demand. The Indoor Tennis Centre is also part of a broader, landscape-led masterplan, with biodiversity-enhancing strategies including new tree planting, ecological corridors and soft landscaping that echoes the adjacent Wimbledon Park. The user experience Each of the six courts is finished to the AELTC’s demanding specifications, with surfaces tuned to replicate the exact playing characteristics of Centre
paf-media.co.uk 21 project strategic vision. It validates the belief that world-class sport deserves world-class architecture, not only for the spectacle of the game but for the daily grind of preparation that precedes it. www.hopkins.co.uk ‘The indoor courts have already been used for training in the lead-up to this year’s Championships, and players have praised the facility for its atmosphere, accuracy and comfort’ players have praised the facility for its atmosphere, accuracy and comfort. Award-winning Impact: RIBA’s endorsement The RIBA London Award recognises buildings that make a significant contribution to the local environment and society. In their citation, the judges lauded Hopkins Architects for ‘an exemplary integration of sport, sustainability and architectural refinement,’ calling the facility ‘a best-in-class benchmark for indoor sports environments.’ It’s a fitting endorsement of the AELTC’s Court’s grass. The courts are acoustically engineered to absorb the sharp echoes common in hard-surfaced spaces, ensuring that communication between players and coaches remains crisp and clear. Support facilities – changing rooms, physiotherapy zones, fitness suites and lounge areas – are arranged in a linear plan that ensures smooth circulation and intuitive access. The entire building champions inclusivity and accessibility, with thoughtful wayfinding and full step-free design. The indoor courts have already been used for training in the lead-up to this year’s Championships, and
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paf-media.co.uk 23 lighting From barbells to business: How Colin Berry is helping personal trainers become gym owners After more than two decades in the fitness industry, Colin Berry is on a mission to reshape it – by turning personal trainers into gym owners. Helen Adkins talked to him about his new business, Sell My Gym COLIN Berry’s journey from celebrity PT to tech entrepreneur began, not with a business plan, but with a question: ‘Where do I go from here?’ Berry, who once trained stars at BBC Elstree Studios, working on sets like EastEnders and Holby City, saw his booming personal training career come to a halt when the pandemic hit. ‘Personal training completely stopped in 2020,’ he recalls. ‘But I’d already started to get into the tech side by then, doing websites for people and getting into app development. I then thought, why not develop my own app?’ That idea snowballed and what followed was a leap into the unknown and, eventually, the launch of his appbased platform, Sell My Gym, designed to simplify the path from trainer to gym owner. By late 2024, Berry had brought on partners, secured investment and gone full throttle on building a solution for fitness professionals. The platform is a one-stop shop for all things gym-related, for those looking to buy or sell a gym, find available units, explore franchise opportunities or resell a franchise. It connects buyers and sellers across the fitness industry, making it easier to find the perfect fit for their business needs. The platform launched in early 2025 with a focused vision to become more than just a business listing site. ‘We wanted it to be not just a listing platform,’ Berry says. ‘We’ll be trying to join people with the right opportunities, but we also want to educate personal trainers on how they can become a gym owners – from using my own experience, but obviously within the knowledge of other people within the business.’ Berry’s understanding of the fitness profile
24 paf-media.co.uk lighting industry’s pain points led to an all-in-one model. The platform offers business listings, financial resources, digital marketing services, and even a free 42- page eBook titled From Personal Trainer to Gym Owner – which he wrote himself. Investment came from industry veterans including David Turner, formerly of LA Fitness, and Graham Bertram of PSL Team, a gym equipment refurbishment company. ‘It was important for me to find people who could do certain things better than I could,’ Berry says. Though both are involved as partners, Berry remains at the helm. ‘Predominantly I’m the one that’s doing the day to day.’ Revenue will come through listing fees, commissions, digital marketing services and eventually a recruitment arm. ‘If someone buys a gym, they’re going to need to staff it,’ Berry says. The platform’s appeal lies in its niche focus and hands-on support. Berry isn’t just compiling available businesses, but actively matching users with the right opportunities. ‘If Bob comes to me and says “I want a gym in Preston”, we’ll get that down in the database. And if something pops up we can contact Bob and tell him that a gym is available.’ Scaling ambitions Even in its first week, the app gained significant traction. ‘Already we’ve had about five or six people that are interested in certain gyms and studios on the platform,’ Berry says. ‘Among the users are current gym owners, franchise companies and personal trainers looking to take that first step into ownership.’ But Berry isn’t stopping there. Plans are underway to include secondhand equipment listings, franchise opportunities, online marketing courses and even commercial property scouting. ‘There’s about 25,000 personal trainers in the UK alone,’ Berry notes. ‘Even if 1% of those want to become gym owners, that’s more than enough business for what we’d need.’ Despite his success, Berry doesn’t currently own a gym himself – but that could soon change. ‘It could be an interesting development. I could then, obviously, create a diary of my experiences,’ he muses. ‘So, if there are any franchises out there that want to give me a free gym to set up, let me know!’ For Berry, the vision goes beyond business – it’s about empowerment. ‘It might not be for everyone,’ he says, ‘but if you plan correctly, within two or three years, you could become a gym owner.’ www.sellmygym.co.uk ‘The platform is a one-stop shop for all things gym-related for those looking to buy or sell a gym, find available units, explore franchise opportunities or resell a franchise’ profile
26 paf-media.co.uk project PORCHESTER Spa in Bayswater is London’s original spa destination, steeped in heritage and character. Built in 1929, this art deco gem dates back to the golden age of public bath houses. With its traditional steam rooms and icy plunge pools, the spa preserves the time-honoured rituals of communal bathing – practices passionately upheld by its loyal community of regular users throughout its almost 100-year history. Whilst the modern spa has become ubiquitous, the period features and facilities offered by this one offers an authenticity that can only be experienced in a few locations today. As Historic England notes: ‘The Porchester Spa complex is now exceptionally rare, and is thought to be the best surviving example.’ Today it is a thriving community complex with a main pool, small pool, gym and studios, in addition to the spa facilities – a jewel in the crown of the local community boasting 3,500 local members. Porchester has survived, largely intact, through numerous renovations and re-developments over the years but, as its first century anniversary approached, a major restoration and preservation project was clearly required. Everyone Active, in partnership with Westminster City Council, rose to the challenge of modernising the facilities while enhancing the building’s energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Crucially, however, the operator was determined that the £800,000 project would also preserve the site’s heritage value. First steps Everyone Active took over management of Porchester Spa on 1 July 2016, and it quickly became clear during the procurement process that the spa’s ageing facilities were in urgent need of investment. Initially, the operator commissioned Space & Place to design a modern refurbishment. However, following consultation with longstanding users, it became evident that a sympathetic restoration – rather than a contemporary redesign – was the preferred and most appropriate approach to revitalising the much-loved spa. As part of the consultation process, Everyone Active invited one of the spa’s regular users to join the design team, working alongside the architects, principal contractors Vincent Stokes and M&E specialists Yorkshire Building Services. This collaborative approach demonstrated a strong commitment to partnership between the local authority, the management contractor and the spa community, ensuring the restoration would reflect the needs of all stake-holders. The challenges The primary objective of the project was to restore the spa’s original splendour in a sensitive and authentic way, while addressing the very real challenges posed by warm, wet conditions to period features and materials. A further complication was the need to significantly reduce the environmental impact of this energy-intensive facility, all within a building constructed at a time when sustainability, insulation and energy efficiency were not considerations. Previous development work had caused substantial damage, with some original features lost entirely. From the 90-year-old pipework to period tiles worn by decades of footfall, the fabric of the spa had deteriorated significantly. The The revival of Porchester Spa After re-imagining London’s original spa for its next 100 years, Christine Hartigan, architect at Space & Place, describes the aspirations, design and challenges behind the project
paf-media.co.uk 27 project most cost-effective route would have been to install modern replacements – but doing so would have sacrificed the building’s unique character and heritage, undermining the very identity that the local community had fought to preserve. Beyond restoring the physical space, Everyone Active also had to ensure that the facility would be financially sustainable. While a reconfiguration of the internal layout might have improved flexibility and flow, such changes were simply not possible within the constraints of a listed building. This imposed limitations on how the space could evolve to meet future needs. A key stakeholder in the project was the Friends of Porchester Spa, a local user group that served as a critical partner throughout the process, that played an instrumental role in safe-guarding the integrity of the original design. One of the most prominent restoration challenges involved the building’s extensive tiling. Many tiles had become dull or damaged through years of use, but finding appropriate replacements that matched the original required extensive research. Another complex issue centred around the timber used in the steam rooms. Although timber is known to ‘bleed’ in warm and wet environments – creating challenges for cleaning and maintenance – it was deemed too important to the spa’s historic feel to replace with synthetic alternatives. In other areas, poor maintenance, water ingress, leaking pipes and rot had caused extensive damage, while previous attempts at modernisation had removed significant original features, particularly in the rear sections of the building. At the same time, the restoration had to consider the expectations of today’s spa users. This meant incorporating modernised changing areas and improved insulation in the steam rooms to reduce heat loss – though these updates slightly reduced the facility’s overall footprint. Where new materials were introduced, they were carefully selected to meet the high standards of authenticity required for a building of such heritage value. Every detail had to balance preservation with progress, ensuring the spa could serve both its historic legacy and the needs of modern users. Design aims, aspirations and principals The restoration project was driven by one fundamental, overarching aspiration; to retain, not only the original style and character of the spa, but to do so using materials and methods that honoured the building’s historical integrity. While this approach inevitably added to both the cost and timescales, it was the only acceptable path for a heritage project of this nature. A key design principle was to deliver a result that was not only aesthetically accurate and appropriate, but would remain timeless – ensuring the restored features would continue to look fitting for decades to come. The project also presented an opportunity to right past wrongs, addressing damage and poor repairs from previous refurbishments, ‘Previous development work had caused substantial damage, with some original features lost entirely’
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