Cresta Leisure

What Cresta Leisure does

Cresta Leisure Ltd. is a privately held UK swimming pool and wet-leisure specialist founded in 1986 by Tim Bareham and headquartered in purpose-built premises at Railway Triangle, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, Dorset. The company operates a single-site, UK-focused business delivering end-to-end pool and wellness services across both domestic and commercial markets. Its core offerings cover the design, construction, refurbishment, and after-sales servicing of swimming pools, alongside a complementary wellness portfolio (Arctic Spas hot tubs, Tylö saunas and steam rooms, the in-house PortaSauna portable range, and commercial spas), supported by recurring maintenance contracts, seasonal open/close services, boiler and range-cooker servicing, and over-the-counter chemicals and spares at its Dorchester showroom. Technical differentiation is anchored in the company's position as one of only four UK distributors of Myrtha Pools (a proprietary panel-based pool construction system) and its exclusive regional distribution of Arctic Spas and Zodiac Pool Care products, with work executed to SPATA and PWTAG industry standards.

The revenue model is a mix of project-based design-and-build contracts (one-time per engagement), hardware sales (hot tubs, saunas, enclosures, covers), and recurring service revenue (weekly/fortnightly/monthly maintenance contracts, seasonal open/close services, boiler servicing). Go-to-market combines a consultative Dorchester showroom retail motion for high-end domestic and wellness customers with an enterprise field-sales channel pursuing commercial operators such as holiday park chains, health clubs, hotels, swim schools, and educational institutions. Notable enterprise customers include Haven Holidays (50+ UK locations, 28-year relationship), David Lloyd Leisure, Park Holidays, Darwin Escapes, Brean Leisure Park, Virgin Active, Luxury Family Hotels, and Bryanston School. Cresta has held SPATA membership for 27 years, is one of only two companies to have won SPATA Pool Contractor of the Year twice (2012, 2016), and secured 13 SPATA awards in 2025 including 5 category wins, reinforcing its brand credentials in a niche but durable UK trade market.

Ownership is family-held with no institutional investors or parent company; founder Tim Bareham has transitioned toward retirement, with his son Simon Bareham now representing Cresta within the National Leisure buying group. The company is a founding member of National Leisure, a 20-member independent pool buying group that negotiates collective supplier pricing, and participates in SPATA, PWTAG, GAS SAFE, and OFTEC industry frameworks. Revenue, headcount, and funding data are not disclosed.

Name

Cresta Leisure

Legal name

Cresta Leisure Ltd.

Website

https://cresta-leisure.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Swimming Pool Construction & Wellness Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs Retail (Chemicals, Accessories) (CRAIAIAK)

Keywords

• Swimming pool construction
• Pool refurbishment services
• Hot tub retail
• Sauna installation
• Pool maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Dorchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Pool Design & Construction: Full design-and-build service for domestic and commercial swimming pools. Projects are bespoke and priced based on scope, materials, and complexity. Revenue is project-based, one-time per contract, with repeat commercial clients commissioning multiple projects across their estate.
2. Pool Refurbishment: Modernisation of existing pools including liner replacement, new specialist materials, porcelain and natural stone finishes, and full renovation of old commercial pools. Project-based revenue.
3. Hot Tub Sales (Arctic Spas): Sale and installation of Arctic Spas hot tubs. Cresta has sold over 300 spas in Dorset over 25+ years. Revenue is one-time per unit, with after-sales servicing and maintenance as an additional revenue stream.
4. Sauna, Steam Room & PortaSauna Sales: Sale of Tylö saunas, tiled steam rooms, and the PortaSauna portable sauna (HEX, HEX XL, and Cold Plunge Ice Bath). One-time hardware sales with optional installation services.
5. Pool Maintenance Contracts: Tailored maintenance contracts offered on weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis, with half-hour chemical/backwash visits or full one-hour valets. Popular service generating recurring revenue.
6. Pool Care Products & Chemicals: Retail sale of pool and spa chemicals, spares, and pool components over the counter at the Dorchester showroom. Includes Zodiac Pool Care range (salt chlorination systems, pool cleaners) as a Premium Dealer.
7. Boiler & Heating Servicing: GAS SAFE and OFTEC registered servicing of domestic and commercial oil and gas boilers, AGAs, Rayburns, range cookers, and alternative heat sources. Also includes boiler replacements.
8. Pool Open & Close Services: Seasonal preparation and safe winter closure of pools, often bundled with automatic sheet cover servicing and boiler servicing. Popular service with repeat annual bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cresta Leisure designs, constructs, refurbishes, and services domestic and commercial swimming pools in addition to supplying and installing hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and chemical products. The company operates from its Dorchester headquarters and showroom, serving home owners, holiday parks, hotels, health clubs, swim schools, and educational institutions across the UK.

Product overview

Cresta Leisure operates as a swimming pool and wellness company offering design, construction, refurbishment, and servicing for both domestic and commercial clients. The product portfolio centers on swimming pools (Myrtha Pools, Liner Pools, Concrete Pools, Commercial Pools, Swim School Pools) complemented by wellness products (Arctic Spas hot tubs, Tylö saunas, steam rooms, PortaSauna portable saunas, commercial spas). Supporting services include pool refurbishment, maintenance contracts, seasonal open/close services, plant room design, pool covers, enclosures, boiler servicing, and a retail shop. The company functions as a UK distributor for Myrtha Pools (one of four) and Premium Dealer for Zodiac Pool Care, while selling and servicing Arctic Spas, Tylö, and PortaSauna products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Myrtha Pools Modular stainless-steel panel pool system supplied and installed by Cresta Leisure. Targeted at commercial leisure operators and high-end residential customers seeking Olympic-grade pool construction with reduced build time compared to traditional concrete pools.
• Liner Pools Reinforced liner swimming pools designed and installed for domestic customers. Provides a cost-effective alternative to concrete pools with a smooth, durable waterproof finish.
• Concrete Pools Custom-built concrete swimming pools for domestic and commercial clients. Offers full design flexibility for shape, depth, and bespoke features.
• Commercial Pools End-to-end design and construction of commercial swimming pools for hospitality, leisure, and education sector clients. Backed by commercial plant room design, SPATA and PWTAG compliance, and ongoing maintenance.
• Pool Refurbishment Refurbishment and upgrade of existing swimming pools for domestic and commercial owners. Includes replacement of liners, tiles, plant equipment, and modernisation of pool finishes.
• Swim School Pools Specialist swimming pool design and construction for swim schools and educational facilities. Configured for teaching, lesson programming, and learner safety in line with PWTAG guidance.
• Pool Enclosures Pool enclosures sold and installed to extend the swimming season, improve safety, and reduce debris ingress. Offered as a standalone product line to domestic and commercial pool owners.
• Pool Maintenance Ongoing servicing and maintenance of swimming pools for domestic and commercial customers. Includes water treatment, equipment checks, and seasonal servicing under contract.
• Pool Open & Close Service Seasonal start-up and winterisation service for swimming pools. Commissioning pools in summer and safely closing them down for winter with appropriate water treatment and equipment protection.
• Boiler & Range Cooker Servicing Servicing of boilers and range cookers, primarily to support commercial and residential clients whose pool plant rooms and properties rely on Cresta Leisure's engineering team.
• Arctic Spas Hot Tubs Range of Arctic Spas brand hot tubs supplied to residential customers via the Dorchester showroom. Hot tubs are sold as complete units with delivery and installation support.
• Sauna and Steam Rooms Sauna and steam room design, supply, and installation for domestic and commercial customers. Tylö is a key brand distributed by Cresta Leisure for these products.
• PortaSauna Portable sauna product developed and sold by Cresta Leisure for the commercial sector, allowing operators to add sauna experiences without permanent installation.
• Commercial Spas Commercial-grade spa units supplied to commercial leisure operators including hotels and holiday parks. Delivered alongside pool and plant room installations.
• Zodiac Pool Care Range Retail range of Zodiac pool care chemicals, water treatment products, and cleaning equipment. Sold direct to pool owners for ongoing pool maintenance.
• Shop and Showroom Physical retail showroom in Dorchester, Poundbury where customers can view hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and pool care products. Customers can purchase Zodiac chemicals, accessories, and selected wellness products direct.

Quantifiable outcome

• Haven Holidays has been building or renovating pools with Cresta for over 28 years across more than 50 UK locations.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Myrtha PoolscoreTechnology or IntegrationCresta Leisure is one of only four UK distributors of Myrtha Pools, a proprietary panel-based pool construction system. The Myrtha system uses strong, free-standing, precision-assembled panels enabling faster construction and cost savings compared to traditional concrete. Cresta has been installing Myrtha pools since 2009 and has completed numerous SPATA award-winning domestic and commercial installations.
• SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCresta Leisure has been a member of SPATA for 27 years. Tim Bareham served as SPATA President after roles as South West Regional Chairman and is now a SPATA Pool Inspector, nationally assessing SPATA Pool Installers. Cresta is one of only two companies to have won Pool Builder of the Year twice. SPATA provides dispute resolution, technical advice, water treatment training, and a member registry for consumer referrals.
• National LeisurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Leisure is an influential buying group of 20 independent pool companies founded in 1989. Tim Bareham, Cresta's Chairman and Founder, was a founding member. Members cooperate to share knowledge, ideas, and skills and do not compete against each other even in the same geographical area. The group negotiates collective purchasing deals with pool trade suppliers. Simon Bareham now represents Cresta within National Leisure.
• PWTAG (Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWTAG has a membership drawn from statutory, voluntary, and professional organisations with an interest in pool water treatment. For over 30 years, PWTAG has provided the industry's definitive guidelines. Cresta abides by PWTAG guidelines with each and every installation. The guidelines are described as 'probably the most thumbed reference book in the office'.
• AquaflexcoreTechnology or IntegrationAquaflex is one of the country's leading pool liner specialists. Cresta has worked closely with Aquaflex for many years. The partnership was strengthened by combining Myrtha Pools with Aquaflex's Alkor pre-tailored liner. Aquaflex supplies both pre-tailored vinyl liners (10-15 year life expectancy) and Alkor on-site welded thicker membrane liners for commercial applications.
• Zodiac Pool CareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCresta Leisure is a Premium Dealer for the Zodiac Pool Care range, selected by Lighthouse Pools (sole UK distributor). Cresta has sold the Zodiac range since 2014, particularly Salt Chlorination Systems and Pool Cleaners. The MagnaPool system (magnesium-based water treatment) is highlighted in Cresta's examples.
• TylöcoreTechnology or IntegrationTylö is Cresta's preferred supplier for saunas and steam rooms. Tylö's Harmony range of modular saunas features a 3D-Configurator design system for bespoke installations. A training trip to the Tylö factory in Sweden gave Cresta the confidence to recommend and install both sauna and tiled steam rooms commercially. Tylö's bespoke options allow Cresta to apply quality materials to architects' designs.
• Arctic SpascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArctic Spas, designed and manufactured in Canada, is the only hot tub brand sold by Cresta Leisure. Cresta has sold Arctic Spas for over 20 years and has supplied over 300 spas throughout Dorset. Arctic Spas is unrivalled in heat conservation and sympathetic use of materials according to Cresta. Cresta's engineers have extensive experience servicing and maintaining Arctic Spas.
• Hippo LeisureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHippo Leisure designs, manufactures, and installs interactive water play equipment suited to the commercial sector, from toddlers to pre-teens. Cresta Leisure has combined resources with Hippo Leisure on many commercial projects, producing water fun solutions alongside pool installations.
• AlukovminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlukov designs and manufactures fixed and sliding pool enclosures. Cresta partners with Alukov to offer high-quality pool enclosures through a professional and knowledgeable specialist, ensuring customers get the right product. Enclosures extend pool use into colder months without requiring building permission.
• CertikinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertikin commercial spas are referenced as part of Cresta's wellness offering alongside Arctic Spas and Tylö products.
• GAS SAFE RegistercoreOthersCresta employs GAS SAFE registered engineers for heating and plumbing services including domestic and commercial oil and gas boiler servicing, AGA, Rayburn, and range cooker servicing.
• OFTECcoreOthersOFTEC registers heating and plumbing engineers for oil-fired equipment. Cresta's engineers hold OFTEC certification alongside GAS SAFE for comprehensive heating coverage.
• Fitzy Lifting Crane HireminorOthersFitzy Lifting Crane Hire assists with challenging deliveries of hot tubs, often using crane lifting to position spas.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Golden Coast: Established UK supplier to the swimming pool, spa, and wet leisure trade, offering chemicals, equipment, and accessories. Competes with Cresta's retail/showroom spares and chemicals business and serves overlapping installer customers.
• Jacuzzi UK: Global hot tub, spa, and swim spa manufacturer with UK presence. Competes with Cresta's hot tub and commercial spa offerings as a globally branded incumbent in the residential and commercial wellness segment.
• Certikin International: Major UK distributor of swimming pool equipment, liners, and chemicals serving both trade installers and pool builders. Comparable to Cresta as a SPATA-affiliated trade supplier with overlapping pool-care product lines and distribution footprint.
• Hot Spring Spas UK: Global premium hot tub brand with UK distribution competing with Arctic Spas (Cresta's exclusive brand). Comparable wellness product category and target residential customer base in the UK hot tub retail market.

Direct peers

• Pentagon Pools: UK swimming pool builder and refurbishment specialist serving residential and commercial clients. Direct peer for pool design, construction, and renovation services in the UK market.
• Compass Pools (UK): UK-based swimming pool manufacturer and installer with proprietary ceramic-core composite pool technology. Competes directly with Cresta in the high-end residential and commercial pool design-build market across the UK.
• Hilton Swimming Pools: UK swimming pool construction and maintenance company serving residential and commercial clients. Direct peer for pool design-build and after-sales service across the UK market.
• Sunrise Swimming Pools: UK swimming pool contractor specializing in concrete and liner pool installations for domestic clients. Competes with Cresta's residential design-build business and shares the SPATA membership ecosystem.
• Plastica Pools: UK manufacturer and supplier of above-ground and liner pools, pool equipment, and accessories. Direct competitor in liner pool construction and pool equipment retail, particularly in the domestic market segment.
• Falcon Pools: UK swimming pool design, build, and service contractor operating in the residential and light-commercial segment. Comparable service offering (design, construction, refurbishment, servicing) targeting overlapping customer profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CrestaLeisure
• Instagraminstagram.com/cresta_leisure

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Cresta Leisure