GLL is the UK’s largest leisure operator, they have 11,000 personnel that operate at 140 swimming pool venues.
The current holders of the prestigious UK Pool & Spa Awards title, Leisure Operators Of The Year, GLL was established in 1993 in Greenwich and has grown to become the UK’s largest leisure social enterprise running pools, gyms, children’s centres and libraries. GLL keeps charge of 140 pools and swim facilities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – including competition pools, lidos, leisure pools and even a reservoir. Working in partnership with over 40 local authorities, public agencies and sporting organisations, GLL employs some 1,000 staff to support wet side activities and 10,000 across the wider business.
GLL’s flagship venue, the London Aquatics Centre has been nicknamed ‘The World’s Favourite Pool’. Iconic with award-winning design and the embodiment of Olympic Legacy, the Aquatics Centre proudly welcomes over 1m swim visits a year during normal opening. “We have a unique position at the heart of local communities and, working with health authorities, are planning to be at the forefront of the nation’s recovery, Post Covid,” says Andrew Clark, GLL’s National Sports and Aquatics Manager.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE
“We have the specific knowledge and experience of leisure facilities and products and operating high footfall economy-of-scale environments that enables us to meet the operational service requirements of local authorities fully and cost effectively,” Andrew adds. “As we are a health and wellbeing hub and share their goals and objectives regarding improving health equality of local communities, we are an ideal partner,” he says. GLL is now over 25 years old; and is as excited about the future today, as they were back in 1993, under the stewardship of a nine-strong Senior Management Team led by CEO Mark Sesnan and Deputy, Peter Bundey, GLL’s Five Year Corporate Plan focuses on future-proofing the business, giving the strongest and most sustainable prospects in uncertain economic times, focussing more on customer service and getting this right.
Swimming pools and leisure facilities are vital to the nation’s recovery post Covid, Andrew believes. “We are keen to open as soon as possible in Covid Safe mode,” he says. “In fact we are the ‘exemplars’ of Covid Safe operation in our sector and have partnered with the Cabinet Office on a series of best practice videos. “We have lobbied hard for our sector to be recognised as important as hospitality and retail and have supported the campaigns of ukactive, CLUK and other bodies to make the case for our sector in the House of Commons,” Andrew continues. “We see ourselves as a key partner in Government public health strategy going forward,” he emphasises.
Most of all GLL is look forward to welcoming customers back from March 29th at outdoor facilities and indoor facilities from April 12th, as the Government Roadmap allows.
GLL
Tel. 020 8317 5000
www.gll.org
