Leisure boss backs council plans

11:35am Wednesday 23rd January 2008

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A LEISURE boss has backed the plans for Harrow's new leisure centre.

Graham Farrant, chief executive of Leisure Connections, said Harrow Council's controversial plans to slash the number of squash courts in the new centre makes commercial sense.

He said: "Nationally, squash is nowhere near as popular as it was in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We find that most of the usage of squash courts is reduced, and the community doesn't use them during the day.

"From a commercial point of view, you have to make the best use of the space you have."

Squash players from Harrow have reacted with outrage, after plans for the new leisure centre, in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, included just two squash courts, compared with the eight in the existing centre.

The company, which will continue to run the existing centre until it closes, is hoping to be involved when the new centre opens in 2010.

Mr Farrant said: "We have been talking to the council about it, and hope we have shaped their thoughts and plans.

"We have tried to use our expertise to bring in commercial views of what works and doesn't work for the local community."

He was speaking at the launch of the new Harpers Gym in the centre, on Tuesday, January 22, and Mr Farrant insisted gyms are a better use of leisure space.

He said: "We have found that gym membership is growing nationally, but is not growing in Harrow.

"We wanted to address that, and show we are very much open for business."

The gym, which is now open, cost £250,000 to refurbish with new fitness equipment and space for 122 users.