// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
Leisure centre price hikes on the way
Bosses at Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester want to increase its fees from January
Inflation-busting price increases are on the way at a large Worcester leisure centre, with its operators blaming energy and staffing costs.
The price of an adult swim at Perdiswell Leisure Centre could rise 6.8% – from £7.30 to £7.80 – if the new charges are approved.
Fitness class fees would increase by 5.6% to £9.50, while the price of annual memberships would go up 4.9%.
Bosses at Freedom Leisure, the site's operator, said staffing and energy bills were rising faster than income as Worcester City Council were asked to approve the new prices.
A report on the price hikes, which outstrip the UK's 3.6% inflation rate, revealed energy costs had more than doubled in recent years, despite efforts to slash consumption.
If councillors sign them off in a meeting at the end of November, the average fee at Perdiswell Leisure Centre would increase by 5.3% from January.
Matt Wickham, from Freedom Leisure, said things are "tough" for the whole leisure industry
Hiring the artificial pitch at Perdiswell, which can currently be done for £44 an hour, would cost 10% more, although the council said it would still be significantly cheaper than comparable pitches elsewhere in the city.
Matt Wickham, Freedom Leisure's chief operating officer, explained the firm had seen "significant cost increases", with gas prices up by more than 50% over the second half of the year and minimum wages rising year-on-year.