Fusion Lifestyle: Frequently Asked Questions
The Council’s sports centres in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells are open and operating as normal.
Fusion Lifestyle, the current operator of the centres, has entered administration. Since becoming aware of Fusion’s financial difficulties, the Council has been working with partner councils and the appointed administrators (S&W) to ensure continuity of service and to secure the best possible outcome for residents.
From July 2026, the centres will be managed by Serco Leisure, in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust. We are currently coordinating with the administrator to agree a smooth handover to the new operator, which will unlock significant investment in the facilities.
Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about what this means for customers, memberships, payments, staff, and the future operation of the centres.
Yes, because of its financial position Fusion Lifestyle has entered into administration. This affects the three sports centres Fusion manages for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells .
Administration is an insolvency process aimed at rescuing a struggling business. In administration, the company is protected and may continue trading under an administrator
Fusion Lifestyle is a national operator managing leisure facilities for councils across the country and all are affected by this. Since we became aware Fusion may be in difficulty we have been liaising with Fusion’s other council clients with the aim of working together to get the best outcome for all the councils.
Nadeem Sweiss and Adam Stephens of S&W Partners LLP have been appointed as Joint Administrators of Fusion Lifestyle on 1 April 2026.
Fusion/the administrators have created a website to answer questions about the administration process for its customers, you can see this here: SWGroup
There is an email address for the administrator included in this information
No, Fusion is still operating and the centres are open, services continue to be delivered as usual.
When we became aware Fusion may be in difficulty we began exploring options and we have been in active talks with another operator. They are ready to take over and we are now coordinating with Fusion and the administrator to agree a handover date.
Yes, Fusion/the administrator have created a dedicated website with FAQs which should answer any questions you have https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/swgroupfaqgeneral/
Fusion has contacted its subscriber members via its app.
From July the centres will be run by Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust.
Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust is one of the UK’s leading national operators of leisure centres, destination venues and the elite national sports centres at Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall, venues where elite and community sport come together.
The Council is not able to give financial advice, however the centres remain open and all services continue to be delivered. A company in administration is able to continue operating as usual.
Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust, an established and experienced leisure contractor, will have a new membership scheme for customers.
Sign up to receive emails from us with updates about the sports centres here: Leisure centres email
You can continue to use your membership. The centres remain open and all services continue to be delivered. A company in administration is able to continue operating as usual.
Going forward, Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust has said it will honour all paid in full memberships where the customer has evidence of payment or the information Fusion shares with them shows the annual membership details.
This is something that the administrators now working with Fusion will be pleased to help with. Find their contact details under Who is the administrator?
Unfortunately, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is not able to help you with this.
The Council is committed to providing leisure facilities in the borough.
When we became aware Fusion may be in difficulty we began exploring options and we have been in active talks with another operator, Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust. They are ready to take over and we are now coordinating with the administrators, S&W, to agree a handover date.
We will let people know Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust are taking over through our website, and social media, and you can sign up for sports centre email updates and the TWBC weekly news email.
Sign up to receive emails from us with updates about the sports centres here: Leisure centres email
You can also sign up to the TWBC weekly news email here: twbc.online/alerts
TWBC owns the Tunbridge Wells and Weald sports centres and leases Putlands from Paddock Wood Town Council.
The centres were contracted to Fusion Lifestyle to provide leisure facilities in the borough. We are now entering into an agreement with Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust.
Fusion’s financial management is a matter for them. TWBC was disappointed to be told by Fusion that it was planning to go into administration.
The Council has always been supportive of Fusion and especially so in recent years when the leisure sector, not just Fusion, has faced difficult economic challenges.
Staff have worked closely with Fusion Lifestyle colleagues, not least in developing an investment plan to upgrade facilities at Putlands.
In recent years Council staff set up the Tunbridge Wellness Campaign Group, primarily to support fitness membership sales at the centres. We also established a Fusion Clients Working Group, collaborating with other councils who have a partnership with Fusion Lifestyle, leading the conversation to ensure that every opportunity is taken to protect the business and local services.
The Council is not able to offer Fusion any more financial support.
It is usually more cost effective for an external provider to operate a Council’s leisure centres. Because they have a larger number of leisure centres they have better purchasing power for things like supplies, services and utilities.
Fusion/the administrator have created a dedicated website with FAQs to answer your questions you have, your line manager should have details of this if you do not.
Serco Leisure in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust will be taking over the management of the centres from July 2026, this includes employing staff and transferring staff contracts from Fusion, until then it is business as usual.
If you have any concerns and you are a member of a professional organisation or trade union we advise you to speak to your representative as soon as possible.
Free independent advice is available from:
- North & West Kent Citizens Advice and Kent Law Centre https://citizensadvicenwk.org.uk/
- Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre https://www.pwadvice.org/
You will also find information about support and benefits as well as contact information for JobCentre Plus at gov.uk
Administration means business as usual for staff. Speak to your manager.