Interest in popular facilities within leisure centres has allowed operators to capitalise on the recent boom in health and fitness. Mintel’s report assesses the leisure centre and swimming pools market, analysing consumer usage and attitudes and providing likely future trends in the marketplace.

Findings show that the growth in private health and fitness clubs has created competition for leisure centres and swimming pools, resulting in inevitable comparisons being made between the two.

The rising costs of using leisure centre facilities as well as adult day memberships have led to an increase in average spend per admission, and consequently overall market size, resulting in a billion pound market.

Swimming pools are favoured above all other types of leisure centre amenities, with the fitness rooms as second in popularity. Potential for secondary spending remains unfulfilled with consumers enjoying to spend on drink consumption. Despite the increasing popularity of cafés, bars and restaurants, the food and beverage side of most leisure centres is hugely underdeveloped.