Freedom Leisure closes saunas and steam rooms at NFDC leisure centres over rising energy costs

RISING energy costs have forced the closure of saunas and steam rooms at New Forest leisure centres from today (Wednesday).

Freedom Leisure, which operates sites at Lymington, New Milton, Ringwood, Totton and Applemore for NFDC, said the facilities will remain shut until next year.

In an announcement, a spokesperson for the not-for-profit organisation said: "Just like you at home, we are in the midst of a well-publicised energy crisis with the price of electricity and gas increasing at an alarming rate.

"Consequently, we are having to make difficult decisions, in consultation with New Forest District Council, to ensure we reduce our energy use over the coming months.

"As a result, we are regrettably having to temporarily close the centres' sauna and steam rooms from Wednesday 16th November for the autumn and winter months and will review the situation in early spring.

"These facilities use a significant amount of energy and closing them even for a short period of time will go a long way towards reducing our overall energy consumption.

"As the energy crisis unfolds, we may need to consider other measures, but we will keep you informed as and when we know more.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their loyalty and patience at this time."

As reported in the A&T, Freedom Leisure announced last month that its five centres in the New Forest could be at risk when NFDC said it was withdrawing a £750,000 bailout after taking "external advice".

Following the withdrawal of the bailout, Freedom Leisure said it would continue to have an "open dialogue" with NFDC, adding that without more government support there is a "real risk" to public leisure provision in the forest.

Freedom Leisure said its energy costs in the New Forest alone this financial year is £500,000 and set to rise to £1.2-million next financial year, adding that it is a cost the organisation "cannot just absorb".

Operating more than 100 leisure centres throughout the country, the trust announced last month that its national annual energy bill had risen from £8-million to £20-million.

It has already closed swimming pools in Milton Keynes, Rye and East Sussex in a bid to help balance its books as well as making a "small reduction" to its pool temperatures.