Freedom Leisure makes “huge strides towards energy efficiency”

The operator of several Wrexham leisure centres say they have made huge strides towards becoming energy efficient.

Freedom Leisure, a charitable not-for-profit leisure trusts that manages 29 leisure centres across Wales, has introduced innovative measures to reduce energy consumption.

This has resulted in a massive saving in energy use – the equivalent to running a medium sized leisure centre with a swimming pool for four years.

It has also reduced its carbon emissions by 395 tonnes.

As we have documented Freedom Leisure has received support via Wrexham Council – one directly linked to energy use.

The leisure trust has managed to achieve these savings in all their leisure centres across Wales.

“Saving over one million kWh of electricity and just under one million kWh of gas over a twelve-month period doesn’t come easily,” says Angela Brown, Group Environmental & Sustainability Manager for Freedom Leisure.

“We have strived to engage with every single colleague, customer and stakeholder to ensure they are on board, both from an environmental perspective but also to ensure the sustainability of our much-loved leisure centres.

“We have effectively fostered a culture of awareness, transforming operational practices and behaviours to ensure mindful use of energy and resources.”

Andy Harris, Freedom Leisure Regional Manager for Wales and The North said: “Colleagues are encouraged to suggest energy saving measures and we have a suite of energy non-negotiables which we ensure all of our team are familiar with.

“For example, switching off lights, turning off equipment that is not in use and ensuring pool covers are in place when pools are not in use, even if this is just for half an hour in the day.

“We also have signage around all our centres so that our fantastic customers can help us make these savings as well, it’s very much a collective effort.”