A charity which runs over 100 leisure facilities across the UK has entered administration after financial difficulties. Fusion Lifestyle, a charity which operates more than 100 leisure centres, swimming pools and lidos across the UK confirmed on Wednesday, April 1 that it had appointed administrators following "a prolonged period of financial difficulty." Nadeem Sweiss and Adam Stephens of S&W Partners LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators.

The organisation said it has "collaborated closely with local authorities to explore viable options for keeping facilities open and many authorities have agreed to support continued operations." It added: "Many of the local authorities have agreed to a transition period, supporting the Charity in Administration while a new operator is secured to manage the leisure centres."

According to Fusion, memberships remain active, and scheduled classes and activities are also expected to continue.

The Dartford-based organisation said: "Fusion has faced sustained financial pressures due to rising operational costs, reduced government funding, and post-pandemic recovery challenges.

"The charity has made significant attempts to introduce new funding; however, despite some interest, these efforts were unfortunately unsuccessful and therefore Joint Administrators were appointed."

The government said it "encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve".

In its statement, the charity said that Golden Lane Sports and Fitness Centre, previously managed by Fusion, will close on April 30 "following careful consideration and consultation with the City of London."

The City of London Corporation reportedly said it is exploring options for tennis courts and other community activities before a planned refurbishment later in the year.

Fusion said its administrators, S&W Partners, aim to find new operators to take over its other leisure centres.

The other facilities which remain open are five gyms and pools in eastern Somerset, six leisure centres in Devon including Dartmouth and Totnes, centres in Loughborough, Syston, and Mountsorrel in Leicestershire, Brockwell Lido in London, sports centres in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood, and Tunbridge Wells in Kent, Wycombe Rye Lido in Buckinghamshire, and Newcastle City Baths.

Some local councils have already begun appointing new operators. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said that from July the sports centres in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells will be managed by Serco Leisure, in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust. The council said it is coordinating with the administrator to agree a smooth handover to the new operator, which will "unlock significant investment in the facilities."

Administration is a formal insolvency procedure designed to help a company in financial difficulty. During this process, the business is protected from creditors and can continue operating while an appointed administrator works to either rescue the company, sell it, or manage its assets in the best interests of creditors.