Morpeth Leisure Centre
Services
Key stats
Project details
Morpeth is a bustling market town known for its cosy yet varied retail offering. Previously, its community facilities were scattered across different buildings, lacking both quality and cohesion. The new £21 million Morpeth Leisure Centre has transformed this landscape by bringing together sport, leisure, learning and community services in one accessible civic hub.
Opened in April 2023 on The Terrace site at Gas House Lane, the centre includes a six-lane swimming pool, learner pool, spa facilities, four-court sports hall, 100-station fitness suite, cycling studio, fitness studios, café and soft play. It also incorporates a two-storey library, customer service centre, adult learning spaces and flexible community areas.
Delivered on a constrained site in a flood zone at the edge of a conservation area, the project has helped activate a quieter part of town while supporting long-term operational performance. Six months after opening, participation in swimming, gym and studio classes had increased by 200%, with community facility use up 165% and an estimated £599,000 uplift in town-centre spending.
Key Deliverables
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Commercial Value
Morpeth Leisure Centre has delivered measurable commercial value by increasing annual attendance by 175% and helping generate a £599,000 uplift in town-centre spending. By bringing sport, leisure, library, learning and customer service functions into one destination, the centre increases footfall, encourages longer visits and supports the wider local economy. Its eco-friendly design also reduces carbon emissions by nearly 70% per year compared to the previous facility, helping to lower running costs and create a more resilient public asset.
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Social Impact
As an integrated civic hub, Morpeth Leisure Centre brings essential community services together with high-quality sport and leisure provision, making it easier for local people to access support, learning, activity and social connection in one place. The combination of swimming, fitness, soft play, library services, adult learning and flexible community spaces supports improved health and wellbeing outcomes across a broad range of users. Designed around accessibility, clarity of movement and everyday community life, the centre provides a welcoming environment that helps remove barriers to participation.
What our clients say
What matters most to us is the breadth of people now using the centre… older residents returning to exercise, families engaging in activities together, and individuals who previously felt unsure or anxious about visiting a leisure facility.
Project Team
Neil Hardy
Project Director
Kieran McFarlane
Technical Delivery