Council completes move to bring LiveWire leisure services ‘in-house’

This means that from today, Friday, the council has direct control over services that were previously provided by LiveWire.

Established in May 2012, LiveWire has been operating three neighbourhood hubs, two leisure centres, one community hub and a network of thirteen libraries.

It has also been working closely with schools, primary care providers, sports clubs, charities and the council to give the community access to health and wellbeing initiatives

Since its inception, LiveWire has helped 8,485 people to successfully quit smoking and 45,630 individuals to achieve weight loss goals.

Moreover, 366,998 school pupils have benefitted from swimming lessons, 85,667 have participated in junior tennis lessons, and 8,938 engaged with the Summer Reading Challenge.

Cllr Tony Higgins, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “We have achieved a major milestone by bringing leisure, libraries and lifestyle services back into direct control of the council.

“While this is indeed a big moment for many reasons, we expect very little to change for the people who use our valuable leisure, libraries and lifestyle services.

“You will still be able to access the same facilities, and the LiveWire brand is here to stay.

Library services are also operated by LiveWire

“LiveWire staff have transferred to the council too, so you will still see the same friendly faces you are used to seeing across LiveWire’s different services.

“In short, all of the normal facilities our communities have been accessing will continue to look and feel the same.

“We are fully committed to providing quality services that enrich and support our residents and communities.”

Cheryl Siddall, LiveWire’s interim chief operating officer, added: “It has been an exciting journey across the years, seeing the teams achieve so much and the positivity of the teams in providing excellent support and service to the communities of Warrington.

“We are going into the transition in a good position, having surpassed pre-Covid figures in growth and achieved a multitude of things.

“We are looking forward to seeing the good work continue with the council."

LiveWire has worked closely with the council to redevelop some of its Warrington sites, with Birchwood Community Hub featuring a modern library, updated facilities, an improved tennis complex and a state-of-the-art spin studio.

Additionally, the £4.3million Bewsey and Dallam Neighbourhood Hub provides a well-stocked gym, multi-use studio, pool and library provision.

The improvement of libraries in Warrington has also been a focus for LiveWire, overseeing refurbishments of facilities thanks to million-pound library modernisation investment.