Council commits to leisure centres and golf course after operator ceases trading

Press Release

17 March 2023

For Immediate Release

Council commits to leisure centres and golf course after operator ceases trading

Sevenoaks District Council has stated it is committed to the future of Sevenoaks and Edenbridge Leisure Centres and Lullingstone Park Golf Course after the operator, Sencio Community Leisure, called in an insolvency firm and has ceased trading, closing the facilities with immediate effect.

The decision happened suddenly as Sencio realised it could no longer meet its financial liabilities for March.

Sencio set itself up as a leisure trust, operating its business for nearly 20 years in the Sevenoaks District. Sencio has appointed Evelyn Partners to assist with the insolvency process. Sencio will be communicating with its staff, customers and suppliers and has set up a dedicated email to answer any enquiries at sencio@evelyn.com.

The Council’s new White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley is operated by Everyone Active and will continue to operate as normal.

Cllr Lesley Dyball, the Council’s Cabinet Member for People and Places, says: “This sad news came as a terrible shock to us having worked with Sencio for nearly 20 years. However, I want to stress, we are one-hundred percent committed to the future of Edenbridge and Sevenoaks Leisure Centres and Lullingstone Park Golf Course.

“We appreciate this must be an anxious time for Sencio staff, customers and suppliers.

“It is disappointing that Sencio finds itself in this position, despite receiving close to £1.4 million of public money, including £411,000 from the Council to help them through the lockdowns and to support business recovery.

“As recently as January 2023, Sencio told our Councillors they had weathered the recent economic challenges with COVID and the cost of living and were looking to the future. While we have done everything possible to support Sencio over nearly two decades, the recent economic challenges, including increased energy costs, were overwhelming for the trust.

“While their decision to cease trading is out of our control, our top priority will be to work with the insolvency practitioner so that once permitted, we are ready to re-open the leisure centres and golf course as soon as possible.”

For more information, residents should visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/leisure.

Issued by: Daniel Whitmarsh, Communication and Consultation Manager

Call: 01732 227414
e-mail: daniel.whitmarsh@sevenoaks.gov.uk