GYM memberships, swimming sessions and sports facilities are set to become more expensive in Worcester from January as leisure bosses propose an average 5.3 per cent increase in charges.
Freedom Leisure, which runs the city council’s leisure facilities, has put forward new prices for 2027 as it faces rising staffing and energy costs.
The increases would affect facilities including Perdiswell Leisure Centre, St Johns Sports Centre and Nunnery Wood Sports Complex, as well as the tennis courts at Gheluvelt and Cripplegate parks.
WEIGHTS: The gym at Perdiswell Leisure Centre (Image: Freedom Leisure)
Among the proposed changes, the price of an adult casual swim at Perdiswell would rise from £7.30 to £7.80, an increase of about 6.8 per cent.
Prices for swimming activities are proposed to rise by an average of 6.7 per cent, while school swimming charges would see an average increase of 10.6 per cent.
Annual memberships and monthly direct debit prices would rise by an average of 4.9 per cent, while fitness class fees across the three leisure centres are proposed to increase by 5.6 per cent.
Hiring the artificial grass pitch at Perdiswell would cost 10 per cent more, with council officers saying the facility would still be ‘significantly cheaper’ than comparable pitches at the University of Worcester and Claines Lane.
Freedom Leisure is proposing an average increase of 5.3 per cent across its fees and charges, compared with an independent forecast for UK CPI inflation of 3.4 per cent in the final quarter of 2026.
A council report says staffing is Freedom’s biggest area of expenditure, accounting for more than 44 per cent of its cost base so far this year, while energy accounts for nearly 11.5 per cent.
The report says energy costs have doubled in recent years because of higher tariffs, despite efforts to cut consumption, with further significant increases forecast, particularly for gas this winter.
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One significant change would affect older swimmers.
Freedom Leisure has continued to provide free swimming for over-75s, but people joining that category would be required to pay a £28.60 annual fee for unlimited swimming in 2027.
Pay-and-play tennis charges at Gheluvelt and Cripplegate parks would rise by 3.6 per cent, while annual passes would increase by four per cent.
Council officers recommend approving the increases, warning that freezing prices has been ruled out because staffing and energy costs are rising faster than income.
Worcester City Council’s communities committee will consider the proposals on Wednesday, November 4.
If recommended, they will go to policy and resources committee on November 17 before a final decision by full council on November 24.
