Places Leisure, who operate and manage over 100 centres across England, is one of the first within the leisure and physical activity sector to be awarded The Active Standard (TAS), a certification that allows fitness and leisure operators to demonstrate the safety and quality of their facilities.

The Active Standard has been carefully aligned with the industry’s other major schemes, FITcert and Quest, to ensure the sector continues to improve and grow.

By becoming certified to The Active Standard, Places Leisure is demonstrating its commitment to provide a safe, inclusive and high-quality service to its customers.

The standard was designed by ukactive, the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector, with support from leading standards professionals and organisations across the UK and Europe. It aims to support all gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and other sport and fitness facilities to raise standards and welcome more people to be active.

To achieve the certification, Places Leisure has been assessed on its health and safety practices, professional standards, safeguarding procedures, and data protection processes, helping to give visitors and customers greater confidence when using its facilities. The certification will last for three years before re-assessment is required.

Keith Evans, Director of Safety and Risk at Places Leisure, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded The Active Standard certification by ukactive. The certification marks a huge step in improving sector-wide service quality with a commitment to safety and high professional standards.

“As a social enterprise, our facilities mean a lot to everybody who visits us, and this certification will help ensure that our centres remain engaging, safe, and enjoyable. Creating active, inclusive places that have a positive impact on the communities we support up and down the country is a huge part of our long-standing purpose.

“We look forward to continuing our work alongside ukactive, with a shared commitment to sustaining these essential standards and helping more people lead healthier lives.”

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said, “Demand for our nation’s fitness and leisure facilities is growing rapidly as more and more people across the UK prioritise physical activity for their health and wellbeing. The Active Standard will help more people to feel confident that they can enjoy all the benefits of being active in a safe and inclusive environment.”