North Northants Council delays sale of Corn Market Hall over leisure service overhaul
Council will bring all leisure services in-house
North Northants Council (NNC) has paused plans to sell Kettering’s Corn Market Hall until all council leisure services are brought back in-house.
At a meeting on 28th July, the council’s place and environment scrutiny committee discussed a proposal to move management of all council-owned leisure facilities under NNLeisure, the authority’s service provider.
Currently, NNC manages facilities under a mix of in-house and contracted arrangements. Eight facilities, including Kettering Swimming Pool, Desborough Leisure Centre, and Splash Leisure Pool, will move in-house when existing contracts end.
The Corby East Midlands International Pool and other locations are already overseen by NNC due to previous Corby Borough Council arrangements.
Despite high performance in Corby, the restructuring plans include closures and staff reductions, sparking concerns.
Kerry Purnell, assistant director of communities and leisure, highlighted the cost of maintaining the crèche at Corby Pool, noting its low usage as a reason for proposed closure.
Cllr Emily Fedorowycz questioned plans to sell Corn Market Hall, emphasizing lack of public consultation and strong local sentiment against it.
Ms Purnell confirmed there are no immediate plans to sell Corn Market Hall, maintaining current operations until at least October 2027 when the Freedom Leisure contract ends.
The transition plan will be evaluated by NNC’s executive, with some facilities expected to come in-house by April 2027 and further transitions by April 2028.
Universal membership access should be available in 2028, with a fixed membership price. Discounts and concessions will support various community groups, including care leavers and veterans.