SECRO set to manage five Shropshire leisure centres
Five leisure centres in Shropshire look set to be managed by a multi-national company.
Shropshire Council named multi-national company SECRO as its preferred bidder to run the centres.
The firm will take over facilities including Market Drayton Swimming Centre and Oswestry Leisure Centre, by the summer, subject to negotiations.
The council said it hoped the 10-year contract would save £350,000 a year due to "reduced running costs".
'Value for money'
SECRO would also run Shrewsbury Sports Village and Indoor Bowls Hall, Whitchurch Swimming Centre, and the Quarry Fitness and Swimming Centre in Shrewsbury.
Steve Charmley, the council's cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said: "We are pleased to announce SECRO as the preferred bidder who, subject to the successful conclusion of detailed negotiations, will manage five of our leisure centres.
"The tender assessment has been thorough, and we hope to award the contract to the company which submitted the best bid both in terms of quality and price.
"The appointment of a new operator will offer better value for money and guarantee the on-going provision of excellent leisure services within some of our main market towns."
Existing council staff will transfer to the new provider on their current terms and conditions of employment.
A recommendation to seek bids from other providers to run the council's main leisure facilities was agreed by the council cabinet last year following an external review.