During his visit, Alex McIntyre MP was given a tour of the centre and met with staff and customers to learn more about the wide range of services on offer. He saw first-hand how GL1 supports the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the local community.
As a not-for-profit charitable leisure trust, Freedom Leisure reinvests any surplus generated at GL1 directly back into local facilities and community programmes, ensuring that every pound benefits the people who use the centre. Refurbishment works have begun at GL1 as part of Gloucester City Council’s £8 million project to enhance leisure facilities across Gloucester including a new gym, exciting soft play, new water play features, inclusive EGYM equipment and energy-efficient lighting.
In response to customer feedback, the centre will be launching a new women’s-only gym space, designed to create a supportive and inclusive environment where women can feel confident and at ease while exercising.
GL1 is strengthening its community health impact by expanding its health referral programme and appointing a new lead to drive it forward, providing greater support for people improving their health through structured activity.
Working in partnership with Gloucester City Council, Freedom Leisure delivers high-quality services that meet local needs, while its Healthy Communities team collaborates with organisations such as Active Gloucestershire to provide inclusive programmes for all ages and abilities.
The first three months of the year are traditionally the busiest period in the leisure sector, with increased demand across gyms, pools and group exercise classes. 2025 saw more people prioritising their health and fitness, with ukactive’s UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2025 showing 11.5 million people are now members of a health and fitness facility; a trend that is continuing into 2026.
It was a pleasure to welcome Alex McIntyre MP to GL1 Leisure Centre and give him an insight into the impact our services have on the local community. Visits like this allow us to demonstrate how our facilities, programmes and partnerships make a real difference to people’s health, wellbeing and sense of connection. As a not-for-profit trust, our focus is always on reinvesting in our facilities and community programmes, supporting Freedom Leisure’s wider vision of improving lives through leisure and ensuring that every initiative delivers tangible benefits for the people we serve.
Nick Charlton
We welcome the interest in the ambitious improvements taking place at GL1 and Oxstalls following the council’s £8 million investment into the health and wellbeing of our residents. Modern, welcoming and high‑quality facilities make sport and exercise more enjoyable and will help to encourage as many people as possible to make use of our leisure centres.
Councillor Caroline Courtney
It is great to see MPs visiting their local gyms pools and leisure facilities which are working tirelessly to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of their communities. The beginning of the year will see a surge of new members who are looking to make lifestyle changes that better their health and wellbeing. Our nation’s gyms, pools and leisure centres are ready to meet this demand and welcome both retuning and new members with the support they need to live healthier, more active lives.
Huw Edwards