Rossendale Leisure Trust

What Rossendale Leisure Trust does

Rossendale Leisure Trust is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society established in 2004, operating an integrated portfolio of health, fitness, leisure, cultural, and community facilities across the Rossendale valley in Lancashire, United Kingdom. The trust runs four fitness facilities (Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden, Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, Pioneer Gym in Bacup, and the closed Whitworth Leisure Centre), two swimming pools, 23 grass and 3G pitches, the Grip & Go indoor climbing centre with 24 themed walls, The Hill ski and snowboard slope, the Whitaker Museum (a National Portfolio Organisation), the Ashcroft events venue, and community programmes including the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme, school sports partnerships, and the Business Health Matters workplace wellness initiative.

The trust's technology stack is entirely vendor-supplied and operational rather than proprietary: XN Leisure for leisure management and online bookings, Eventbrite for Grip & Go, Debit Finance Collections for the membership portal, Life Fitness for the mobile app, MoveGB for the class portal, SimpleERB for restaurant bookings, SurveyMonkey for programme registration, and Mailchimp for email marketing. Grip & Go's self-clip belay system and 24 themed climbing walls are the most distinctive in-house product features.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: recurring fitness, squash and Energise Pass memberships; pay-per-use activities (climbing at £12.50/climb, laser tag at £6.50/30 minutes, ski tasters at £10/45 minutes, pitch hire); gift vouchers and venue hire (The Ashcroft, Whitaker); fee-paying holiday clubs; corporate wellness fees; and substantial public-sector grant and contract income from the Department for Education (HAF), Sport England, the European Social Fund, UKRI, the National Lottery, Rossendale Borough Council, and Lancashire County Council. Customers served include individual residents and families, schools (Ready Set Rossendale network), Lancashire SMEs (Business Health Matters), NHS-referred patients for health rehabilitation, and community groups such as Beacon Dementia. Governance is by Board Trustees; the current Chief Executive is Samantha Sandford, appointed April 2023, succeeding Ken Masser who led a turnaround from £700k+ annual council cost in 2011 to nil by 2015 and £150k rent payments to the council by 2017.

Name

Rossendale Leisure Trust

Legal name

Rossendale Leisure Trust

Website

https://rltrust.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Rossendale Leisure Trust is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society operating health, fitness, leisure, and cultural facilities across the Rossendale valley in Lancashire, UK, serving residents, families, schools, and Lancashire SMEs through gyms, pools, climbing, skiing, a museum, and community programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Leisure Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Skiing Facilities (713920), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure Sports & Activity Centers (Paragliding, Surf Schools, Guided Activities) (THAAAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climbing & Mountaineering Gyms/Guides (Indoor, Outdoor, Via Ferrata) (THAAAKAG), Adventure Parks & Aerial Courses (Zipline, Ropes, Canopy) (THAAAAAC)

Keywords

• Community leisure services
• Fitness and wellbeing
• Sports facility management
• Cultural venue operations
• Community health programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Haslingden

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Recurring membership fees for gym, fitness, and leisure access across multiple facilities including Adrenaline Centre, Marl Pits, and Pioneer Gym. Memberships include unlimited gym sessions, swimming, and classes.
2. Pay-per-use activities: Individual activity bookings including fitness classes, swimming sessions, pitch hire, racket sports, climbing at Grip & Go, laser tag, skiing/snowboarding at The Hill, and tubing.
3. Government funding and grants: Funding from Rossendale Borough Council, Department for Education (HAF programme), Sport England, National Lottery, and other public bodies for community programmes and facility development.
4. Venue hire and events: Room and venue hire services including The Ashcroft events venue, The Whitaker Museum spaces, and facilities for weddings, parties, and community events.
5. Gift vouchers and experiences: Sale of gift vouchers for fitness memberships, personal training, Grip & Go climbing, laser tag, Energise passes, and skiing/snowboarding experiences.
6. Holiday programmes: Fee-paying holiday clubs and HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme coordinated for children during school breaks.
7. Corporate wellness services: Business Health Matters workplace health screenings and workplace health champion training delivered to Lancashire businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Rossendale Leisure Trust operates a network of community leisure, fitness, sports, adventure, and cultural facilities across the Rossendale valley in Lancashire, England. The trust runs four gym locations, two swimming pools, an indoor climbing centre (Grip & Go), an artificial ski slope (The Hill), a museum and art gallery (The Whitaker), and an events venue (The Ashcroft). It also delivers over 100 fitness classes per week, health referral programmes, school sports partnerships, holiday activity schemes, and a workplace wellness programme (Business Health Matters).

Product overview

Rossendale Leisure Trust is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society providing health, fitness, leisure, and community services across the Rossendale valley. The organisation operates a multi-facility portfolio comprising four gym locations (Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden, Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, Pioneer Gym in Bacup, and Whitworth Leisure Centre), two swimming pools, adventure activities (Grip & Go indoor climbing with 24 themed walls, Laser Tag arena, Skate & Scoot, Splash & Slide), The Hill ski and snowboard facility, cultural venues (The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, The Ashcroft events venue), and community programmes. Services include over 100 fitness classes per week, personal training, health referral programmes, wellbeing walks, Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF), holiday clubs, pitch hire (23 grass pitches and 3G synthetic pitches), and the Business Health Matters workplace wellness programme. The Trust offers an online booking system (Leisure Hub) and various membership tiers. Key recent expansions include mergers with The Whitaker Museum (2021) and The Ashcroft venue (2021), as well as new fitness class launches across centres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Hill: Home of Ski Rossendale - artificial ski slope offering skiing, snowboarding, and tubing activities
• The Whitaker Museum
• The Ashcroft
• Adrenaline Centre
• Marl Pits
• Pioneer Gym
• Grip & Go
• Whitworth Pool
• Whitworth Leisure Centre
• VLA (Valley Leadership Academy)

Products and services

• Grip & Go Indoor Climbing Indoor climbing centre at Adrenaline Centre featuring 24 themed climbing walls (castle, space, tree themes) with a self-clip belay system, suitable for all ages and abilities from £12.50 per climb
• Laser Tag Action-packed laser tag experience in a custom-built District A Laser Tag Arena at Adrenaline Centre for ages 7+, at £6.50 per 30-minute session
• The Hill (Ski Rossendale) Artificial ski slope facility offering skiing, snowboarding, and tubing activities with beginner and improver slopes, including Saturday ski lessons for approximately 200 children weekly
• Swimming Facilities Swimming facilities at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall and Whitworth Pool, offering swim sessions, lessons, toddler swims, laned swims, and senior swims with swimming lessons for 12 local schools
• Gym Facilities Four fitness facilities across the Rossendale valley (Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden, Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, Pioneer Gym in Bacup, and Whitworth Leisure Centre) with full gym equipment access
• Fitness Classes Over 100 group exercise classes per week including Body Combat, Body Pump, Indoor Cycling, HIIT, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Clubbercise, Meta Fit, and HIIT Step across all centres
• The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery Cultural venue in Rawtenstall featuring contemporary art exhibitions, events, film screenings, and The Bar & Kitchen restaurant. National Portfolio Organisation with guaranteed 3-year Arts Council funding
• The Ashcroft Events Venue Events venue in Whitworth, formerly The Riverside, hosting weddings, parties, business events, and school proms with main hall capacity of 250 people
• Valley Gymnastics Academy Gymnastics club established through links with Valley Leadership Academy, offering sessions for various age groups and skill levels
• Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme Free programme providing activities and nutritious food for young people in receipt of free school meals during Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays. Coordinated by RLT with 15+ local delivery partners and funded by Department for Education. Had 1,500 attendees in 2022
• Business Health Matters Workplace Wellness Workplace health programme delivered in partnership with Active Lancashire, offering ESF-funded Workplace Health Champion Training and UKRI-backed Workplace Health Screenings for employees aged 50+ across Lancashire SMEs
• Wellbeing Walks Free group walks taking place throughout the week across Rossendale, welcoming people of all ages and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing
• Personal Training Expert guidance and customised workout plans offered by personal trainers for members and non-members, with flexible scheduling. 30-minute sessions for members and 1-hour sessions for non-members
• Health Referral Programme Community health and wellbeing programme including weight management, exercise on prescription, and cardiac rehabilitation. Serves nearly 1,000 people per year through GP and health professional referrals
• Holiday Clubs Fee-paying holiday clubs running every school term in line with Rossendale holiday schedule, offering activities for children's physical and mental wellbeing
• Pitch Hire Management of 23 grass pitches and 3G synthetic pitches across Adrenaline Haslingden, Valley Leadership Academy in Stacksteads, and Marl Pits in Rawtenstall for football, rugby, and other sports
• Marl Pits Running Track 400m all-weather tartan running track at Marl Pits with annual registration fee (£20 from July 2026), open for public use with sign-in code access. Nearly 300 registered users. Couch to 5k programme (£10 for 10 weeks) with up to 90 participants per session
• Skate & Scoot Roller skating and scooting activity in a spacious arena with music and party lights at Adrenaline Centre, included in the Energise Pass bundle
• Splash & Slide Water fun activity for children at Adrenaline Centre, included in the Energise Pass bundle
• Racket Sports and Squash Racket sports including squash, badminton, and tennis at Adrenaline Centre and other facilities. Rossendale Badminton League (70-year-old league) runs junior sessions at Adrenaline Centre

Quantifiable outcome

• School sports hours increased from 100 to 5,000
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Beacon Dementia and WellbeingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Registered charity opened first bespoke dementia shed in UK at Whitaker Park behind The Whitaker Museum. RLT hosts the facility on its premises. Head Sheddie appointed to run sessions.
• Old Library Community Interest CompanysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023RLT appointed as managing agent for The Old Library Café in Waterfoot. Existing directors and staff remain with RLT providing operational support, financial management, and marketing assistance.
• The Ashcroft (formerly The Riverside)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021The Ashcroft in Whitworth (formerly The Riverside) merged from CLAW (Community Leisure Association of Whitworth) along with Whitworth Leisure Centre. Named in memory of Christine Ashcroft who was the driving force behind CLAW.
• Active LancashirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Active Lancashire leads the £8 million Business Health Matters programme with RLT as a delivery partner. RLT staff deliver workplace health champion training and health screenings to Lancashire SMEs. Partnership combines expertise of Active Lancashire, University of Central Lancashire, ukactive, and Lancashire Mind.
• The Whitaker Museum and Art GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021RLT merged with The Whitaker, Rossendale Museum in June 2021 ahead of its reopening following a major expansion funded by Heritage Lottery grant. The museum achieved National Portfolio Organisation status with guaranteed 3-year funding.
• Valley Leadership AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with Valley Leadership Academy led to establishment of hugely popular gymnastics club. RLT took over facility operation in 2021, managing VLA pitches.
• Ski Rossendale Social EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Ski Rossendale Social Enterprise merged with Rossendale Leisure Trust in 2020. The Hill home of Ski Rossendale offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing activities. Approximately 200 children learn to ski every Saturday.
• Rossendale Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRLT manages leisure facilities in partnership with Rossendale Borough Council. The council owns infrastructure, buildings, and contents with RLT responsible for operations. RLT pays £150k annual rent to council and has reduced council costs from over £700,000 to nil.
• Lancashire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLancashire County Council manages the HAF programme locally as the lead body with the Department for Education. RLT coordinates Rossendale HAF programme under this partnership.
• Haslingden Community LinksupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity organization provides food for HAF programme activities and venues within two-mile radius. One of 15+ providers delivering holiday activities.
• EcoryssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch company contracted by Department for Education to evaluate the England-wide HAF programme. Receives non-anonymised data from RLT about registered families.
• The Shine ProjectsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization in Bacup providing activities as part of HAF programme. One of multiple providers across Rossendale.
• Supreme CateringsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCatering company in Rawtenstall provides healthy packed lunches for HAF programme venues outside the two-mile radius covered by Haslingden Community Link.
• Ski RossendalesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvider of skiing and snowboarding activities as part of HAF programme for secondary school students.
• Rossendale HarrierssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAthletics club that partnered with RLT and other groups to raise £190,700 for Marl Pits running track upgrade. Uses the track for training.
• Rossendale Triathlon ClubsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTriathlon club that partnered in community fundraising for Marl Pits running track. Membership was struggling before track upgrade.
• Rossendale RayssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecial needs sports club that partnered in Marl Pits track fundraising. Uses track for cycling sessions that were previously weather-dependent.
• GPs and local health professionalssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrong relationships with GPs and health professionals for health referral programmes including weight management, exercise on prescription, and cardiac rehabilitation serving nearly 1,000 people annually.
• University of Central LancashiresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLan part of Business Health Matters partnership delivering expertise to Lancashire businesses alongside Active Lancashire and RLT.
• ukactivesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit industry association part of Business Health Matters partnership providing expertise for workplace health programme.
• Lancashire MindsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health organization part of Business Health Matters partnership contributing expertise to workplace wellbeing programme.
• Northern Kite GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation organizes annual Rossendale Kite Festival in partnership with RLT at Adrenaline Centre fields. Northern Kite Group has existed since 1978.
• Ready Set Rossendale schools networksupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProject linking all Rossendale schools from nursery to high school to tackle obesity, promote better mental health and collaboration. Led by Water Primary School headteacher Chris Willan, part of Together an Active Future.

Scale indicators32 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fusion Lifestyle: Non-profit leisure and cultural services operator running leisure centres, libraries, and community venues for UK local authorities; directly comparable mission and operating model.
• Brio Leisure: Community interest company running leisure centres, swimming pools, and health programmes in Cheshire West and Chester - directly comparable community-purpose leisure operator with similar scale.
• Active Nation: Charitable leisure trust operating fitness, swim, and community programmes with a focus on inclusion and removing barriers to activity; comparable community-benefit governance structure.
• GLL (Better): UK's largest charitable social enterprise operating public leisure facilities (gyms, pools, sports halls, libraries) on behalf of more than 20 local authorities - directly comparable operating model and council-contract basis to Rossendale Leisure Trust.
• Lex Leisure: Charitable leisure trust operating leisure and sports facilities across Leicestershire on behalf of district councils; comparable small-to-mid scale community trust governance model.
• Places Leisure: Non-profit leisure management organisation that runs leisure facilities and community health programmes on behalf of local councils, with a similar focus on health-referral and community trust delivery.
• Everyone Active: Operates more than 200 leisure centres in partnership with UK local councils under a charitable/social-enterprise model; comparable multi-facility gym, swim, and class offering managed on behalf of municipalities.
• Parkwood Leisure: Operates leisure centres, swimming pools, and golf courses in partnership with UK local councils; similar council-contract leisure management model though structured as a private company.
• Halo Leisure: Community benefit society operating leisure facilities across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire - directly comparable non-profit leisure trust of similar scale and service mix to RLT.

Broad incumbents

• Serco Leisure: Large global services operator with a UK leisure management division that runs public leisure facilities under contract - comparable operating activity but as a private, for-profit incumbent rather than a community trust.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rltrust
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzX7hjFrs8AwkeuLprvxbpQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/rossendale.leisure.trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/rossendaleleisuretrust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Rossendale Leisure Trust