Solihull leisure centre fees going up as cost of living rises and inflation increases

Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre are both due to increase prices for activities in 2023 as the cost of living crisis pressure continue as inflation goes up.

Solihull Council documents claim leisure centres are being hit the hardest by rising utility costs. They forecast an additional £810,000 on utility bills across the borough’s leisure centres in 2023/24 alone.

Recent cost of living pressures on households may have also affected footfall at centres as people look to cut down on spending. The new prices could affect tens of thousands, as documents claim over 50,000 people swam at Tudor Grange in the first half of this year.

Virtually every aspect of both Tudor Grange and North Solihull leisure centres is set for a price increase under the proposals. This includes swimming lessons, pool parties, sports hall court hire, table tennis, aerobics classes, gym memberships, and track and pitch hire. The price hikes come as UK inflation reached a 41-year high of 11.1 per cent this week.

A peak adult swimming admission at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre is predicted to go from £5.25 to £6 in 2023. Also at Tudor Grange, a parent and child swimming admission will go from £6.40 to £7.20, while junior swimming lessons on a rolling direct debit will go from £27 a month to £30.30. One of the biggest price hikes is a ten-week swimming course for adults, going from £27 to £31.

North Solihull Sports Centre will also see prices go up under the new proposals. A peak adult swimming admission will be £4.90 in 2023, rising 55p, and a single sports hall court booking will go from £10.80 to £12.15.

It’s only been 2 months since gym memberships at Tudor Grange were last increased to £32.49 a month, but they will not escape the price hike. The monthly fee will go up again to £34.99 in April 2023.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admitted yesterday the UK was in a recession as he announced sweeping tax increases and spending cuts in his Autumn statement.

Solihull Council will meet next Wednesday to discuss the proposed new prices. Further details of the decision will follow on Thursday.