Atlantis Leisure

What Atlantis Leisure does

Atlantis Leisure is a community-run charitable social enterprise operating a comprehensive health and leisure facility in Oban, Argyll, Scotland. Founded in 1992 as the trading arm of Oban & Lorn Community Enterprise Company, it serves local residents, visitors, and community groups across the Oban and Lorn area from a single site at Dalriach Road, holding Scottish Charity registration SC024201 and Company Number SC139465. The facility encompasses a 25m swimming pool with flume and teaching pool, a 40-station Technogym, a 6-court sports hall, 3 all-weather tennis courts, 2 squash courts, the Climb Cube bouldering wall, the Lost City 3-storey soft play, sauna, 2 all-weather pitches, Café Atlantis, and multiple hireable meeting and function rooms. Supporting programmes include Oban Swim School (Scottish Swimming Learn-to-Swim framework), PlaySport term-time coaching, Elevate and Stay Active health referral with Lorn & Oban Healthy Options, Elite Squad athlete support, structured holiday camps, birthday party packages, and a diversified fitness class timetable.

The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining recurring monthly memberships (£14-£99 per month across individual, couple, family, teen, junior, LeisureLink concession, and specialised tiers) with pay-as-you-go access for visitors, supplemented by ancillary streams including the on-site café, room and facility hire, birthday party bookings (£50-£103 per package), and seasonal holiday camps. Distribution is fully direct-to-consumer through walk-in access, phone bookings, and online booking powered by Microshade Applications and MorLeisure Client Hub platforms, with no intermediaries or franchise structure. The organisation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, is a Real Living Wage and Fair Work First employer, holds RLSS UK Approved Training Centre status, and operates the facility on a long-standing 21-year lease from Argyll & Bute Council. All surpluses are reinvested into the centre and community programmes.

Name

Atlantis Leisure

Legal name

Oban and Lorn Community Enterprise Company

Website

https://atlantisleisure.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Atlantis Leisure is a community-run charitable social enterprise operating a single-site health and leisure centre in Oban, Argyll. Founded in 1992, it serves local residents and visitors with a 25m pool, 40-station gym, sports halls, soft play, climbing, and diverse programmes via memberships, pay-as-you-go, and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oban

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Monthly direct debit memberships providing unlimited access to public sessions across gym, swimming, sports, soft play, and climbing. No joining fees, no admin fees, no contract, with freeze option available.
2. Pay-as-you-go Access: Visitors and non-members can book and pay for individual sessions, activities, and court time on a per-use basis.
3. Café Atlantis: On-site cafe operated by Beth and team, offering home baking, hot/cold snacks, and lunch menus. Separate operation with its own contact and social media presence.
4. Room and Facility Hire: Meeting rooms, function rooms, sports halls, and courts available for private bookings and community group hire.
5. Birthday Parties and Events: Party packages including soft play, roller disco, mixed magic, funfit, archery tag, and hall hire. Party room rental also available.
6. Holiday Camps: School holiday programs for children including sports camps, swimming camps, and gymnastics camps with daily activities and sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Atlantis Leisure is a community health and leisure centre in Oban, Argyll, providing swimming, gym, tennis, squash, climbing, soft play, sports halls, fitness classes, holiday camps, learn-to-swim coaching, birthday parties, and meeting room hire to local residents and visitors. The facility operates as a registered Scottish charity, running programmes such as Oban Swim School, PlaySport coaching, Elevate and Stay Active health referrals, and the Elite Squad athlete-support scheme on a membership and pay-as-you-go basis, with an on-site café and an integrated online booking system.

Product overview

Atlantis Leisure is a community-run charitable social enterprise offering a comprehensive health and leisure centre in Oban, Argyll. The centre operates as a unified facility providing swimming (25m pool with flume, teaching pool, sauna), gym (40-station Technogym), tennis and squash (3 all-weather courts, 2 squash courts), climbing (Climb Cube bouldering wall), soft play (The Lost City 3-storey), sports halls (6 courts), fitness classes, and catering (Cafe Atlantis). Additional programmes include Oban Swim School (Scottish Swimming Learn-to-Swim framework), PlaySport coaching (tennis, football, athletics), Holiday Camps for children, Birthday Parties, and membership programmes ranging from individual to family packages. The centre also supports Elite Squad athletes and operates Elevate and Stay Active, a health and wellbeing partnership with Healthy Options. Booking is managed through Microshade Applications and MorLeisure Client Hub platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Oban Swim School: In-house learn to swim programme offering Scottish Swimming Learn-to-Swim, Rookie Lifeguard and private lessons for pre-school, junior and adults.
• PlaySport
• Café Atlantis
• Climb Cube
• The Lost City

Products and services

• Swimming (25m Pool) 25-metre swimming pool with depths from 1m to 2m, including a flume, teaching pool with gentle sloping floor, toddler dolphin slide, sauna, and spectator gallery. Offers public sessions, lane swimming, ASN sessions, and pool inflatable sessions for local residents and visitors.
• Gym 40-station air-conditioned gym equipped with Technogym cardio machines, fixed weights and free weights. Includes teen gym sessions, personal training options, and freelance personal-trainer partnerships, serving adults, teens and seniors in Oban.
• Tennis and Squash Three all-weather tennis courts built by Ecosse Sport and two squash courts available for booking, with free racket and ball hire included. Home to Oban Tennis and Squash Club and host of West Highland Tennis Week and PSA-accredited squash tournaments.
• Climb Cube 3-dimensional 4m x 4m bouldering and climbing wall suitable for all skill levels from age 5 upwards. Free induction sessions are provided for non-experienced climbers, with a dedicated monthly membership at £12.90 direct debit for unlimited access.
• Soft Play (The Lost City) 3-storey soft play area named The Lost City, ideal for infants and primary school children, providing a safe padded environment designed to stimulate senses and encourage coordinated movement. Under 1s admitted free.
• Fitness Classes Community group fitness classes including Aeromix, Body Conditioning, QiGong, Zumba, Aqua Aerobics, Pilates, and Rebound Fit, run by Atlantis instructors and community partners. Classes are open to members and pay-as-you-go users.
• Sports Courts Hire 6-court sports hall offering badminton, short tennis, pickleball, table tennis, football, basketball, volleyball, netball, roller disco, archery tag, archery, athletics, and general court hire to clubs, schools and individuals.
• Café Atlantis On-site café operated by Beth and team, offering home baking, hot and cold snacks, lunch menus and a new coffee machine. Spectating windows overlook Soft Play and the pool areas, serving centre users and walk-in customers.
• Meeting and Function Rooms Hire Multiple hireable spaces including Dance Studio (20 people), Function Room (12 people), Back Studio (20 people), Squash Lounge (30 people), Consultation Room (1-3 people), and Treatment Room, available for meetings, courses, events and community group activities.
• Holiday Camps (PlaySport) School holiday programmes for children including Wee Camp (P1-P3), Big Camp (P4-P7), Gymnastics, Rookie Lifeguard, and Swim Fit. Activities span sports, swimming, soft play, climbing, arts and crafts, and roller discos, providing school-holiday childcare and activity options.
• Oban Swim School In-house learn-to-swim programme aligned to the Scottish Swimming Learn-to-Swim framework, offering Early Years (Adult & Baby, Adult & Toddler, Adult & Child), Pre-school, Swim Skills 1-4, Club Ready, Rookie Lifeguard, Adult Beginners/Improvers, Stroke Development, and private lessons.
• PlaySport Coaching Programme Term-time sports coaching programme for children offering tennis, football, athletics and fun games as part of the PlaySport initiative aimed at increasing physical activity in children from an early age.
• Birthday Parties Party packages including Main Hall Parties (Roller Disco, Mixed Magic, Funfit, Archery Tag), Soft Play parties, and Party Room hire, with optional food from Café Atlantis for children's birthdays.
• Membership Programmes No-join-fee membership options including Single Adult (Gym or Swim £30pm), Couples, Teen (12-18), Junior (Under 12), Family Packs, LeisureLink (60+, disability benefits, students), Tennis & Squash, Climb Cube, and Elite Squad for regional-level athletes, with freeze option and no contract.
• Elite Squad Athlete Programme Initiative recognising athletes competing at regional level and above, providing free training facility access at Atlantis Leisure. Current and past members include powerlifters, triathletes, motorsport athletes, golfers, and mountain bikers, with notable alumnus Susie Wolff awarded an MBE for services to women in sport.
• Elevate and Stay Active Partnership programme between Healthy Options and Atlantis Leisure offering open-ended pathway to physical activity and wellbeing sessions for people requiring low-level support. Self-referral or health professional referral accepted, with combined skills, knowledge and experience delivering community health services.

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adventure ObancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint Out and About Project - community development initiative providing programme of opportunities for individuals to get involved and participate in outdoor activities. Adventure Oban is a not-for-profit, community-led outdoor activity charity supporting equal access to Oban's natural playground.
• Lorn & Oban Healthy OptionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Long-standing partnership since 2011 for Elevate & Stay Active programme providing ongoing access to physical activity and health wellbeing sessions for people with minimal support needs. Combined skills, knowledge and experience deliver community health services.
• Argyll & Bute CouncilcoreOthersUnique relationship since 1992 when charitable company took over management of council-owned swimming pool and adjacent land on 21-year lease. Council provides facility while Atlantis operates independently as community charity.
• Community Leisure UKminorOthersMembership organisation for charitable leisure trusts in the UK. Atlantis is a member, connecting with wider sector best practices.
• Oban Tennis and Squash ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent club that plays regularly at Atlantis facilities and puts on events including West Highland Tennis Week. Atlantis started as tennis, squash and swimming facility.
• Oban Otters ASCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal swimming club competing at various levels, works with children from Swim Skills 4. Partnership provides pathway from learn-to-swim into club swimming. Contributed £500 to pool inflatable purchase.
• Oban Swim SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlantis' in-house learn-to-swim programme working with adults and youngsters. Offers Scottish Swimming Learn-to-Swim, Rookie Lifeguard, and private lessons.
• Oban High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for transition programmes (Summer Sensations, Future Friday, Lock-In), work experience placements, and dance classes. Students teach free dance classes to primary pupils.
• Hope2Oban (H2O)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth charity hosting annual Lock-In event at Atlantis for S1 students. Partnership supports youth work provision and community engagement.
• Scottish GymnasticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body delivering CPD sessions at Atlantis as part of centre's affiliation. Keeps coaches at forefront of best practice.
• Active Schools Argyll and ButecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational programme in partnership with sportscotland delivering sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school.
• FAIRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity focusing on increasing opportunities for children with neurodiversity. Held Mini Movers and sports sessions at Atlantis.
• Ecosse SportminorOthersSupplier of all-weather tennis courts at Atlantis. Courts built by Ecosse Sport.
• Oban Camanachd, Oban CelticminorOthersLocal sports clubs that provided referees for shinty tournament at Atlantis.
• Connecting Communities CollectiveminorOthersOban collective through which Atlantis secured funding for paediatric first aid courses.
• Home-Start LornminorOthersCharity using Atlantis pool on regular basis since 1988 to support families with young children in Oban and North Argyll area.
• Community Led Local Development (CLLD)minorOthersAdministered by Argyll and Bute Council, provided funding for Winter Warmer project supporting those in greatest need during winter months.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Everyone Active: Everyone Active is a UK leisure operator running over 200 centres, often through local authority partnerships. Operates community leisure centres with mixed wet and dry facilities, comparable to Atlantis's offering.
• GLL: GLL operates over 240 leisure facilities across the UK under the 'Better' brand and other partnerships, often on behalf of local authorities. Closest structural peer given its charitable leisure trust model and council-leased estate.
• Places Leisure: Places Leisure is a charitable leisure trust operating community leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools and sports halls across England. Closely comparable as a registered charity running multi-activity community leisure facilities.
• Fusion Lifestyle: Fusion Lifestyle is a UK charitable leisure operator managing leisure centres, swimming pools and fitness facilities in partnership with local authorities. Operates on a comparable community-leisure trust basis.
• Freedom Leisure: Freedom Leisure is a not-for-profit leisure trust managing community leisure facilities on behalf of local authorities. Runs mixed-activity centres comparable to Atlantis, including Learn-to-Swim and holiday programmes.
• Active Communities Network: Active Communities Network is a UK leisure trust operating community leisure and sports facilities on behalf of local authorities. Comparable community-leisure charitable model with multi-activity programming.
• Better (Greenwich Leisure Ltd): Better is a charitable social enterprise operating leisure and fitness facilities across the UK. Like Atlantis, it operates as a non-profit leisure trust running community-facing gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities.

Regional players

• Live Borders: Live Borders operates sport and leisure facilities in the Scottish Borders on a charitable trust basis. Comparable Scottish non-profit leisure operator serving a defined regional catchment.
• Highlife Highland: Highlife Highland is a Scottish charitable leisure and culture organisation operating leisure facilities across the Highlands. Directly comparable given its Scottish Highland geography and community leisure trust structure.

Others

• Community Leisure UK: Community Leisure UK is the membership body for charitable leisure trusts in the UK — Atlantis is itself a member. Relevant as the sector trade body defining best practice and policy for organisations like Atlantis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/atlantisleisure
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atlantis-leisure

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Atlantis Leisure