Henfield Leisure Centre

Challenge

Many commercial gyms and private sporting facilities are expensive and unaffordable for many residents of a small village in Sussex as well as being at least six miles away. Henfield Leisure Centre is the only gym, soft play and sports hall facility in the village of Henfield. The closest alternate gym facilities are in neighbouring towns of Horsham and Burgess Hill.

For the residents of Henfield, the centre is quite accessible, being at the most a 15-minute walk from residential estates and affordable compared to some of the commercial gyms in the neighbouring towns charging over triple the membership fees and requiring long-term contracts without pay-as-you-go facilities.

Over the years, it evolved from a sports facility to a community hub. The team works closely with the local primary school to provide breakfast clubs and afterschool clubs, and with the local village health centre to provide doctor referral sessions and gentle gym sessions for the elderly. Recently, they received funding from the Horsham District Council to provide a safe space for adolescents.

Solution

While there is proven demand for their old facilities, most are seasonal and greatly weather-dependent. 
In early 2022, the trustees of Henfield Leisure Centre (HLC) explored different options to secure long-term financial stability and support recovery after the pandemic. After discussions with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), they decided to build two new padel tennis courts.

Padel was selected as it is a dynamic, fast-growing activity for all age groups. The sport is typically played in doubles, making it a very social sport. Due to its simplicity, it is easier to pick up for beginners and is inclusive for players of mixed abilities. The smaller court size ensures that players don’t need to cover as much ground as in tennis, reducing the risk of injury and making it easier for older players.

Revenue

It has four main activities and income streams:
1- Fitness (33% of total income):
 At present, HLC offers a gym and squash courts to members and casual users. Along with fitness equipment, it also employs personal trainers and fitness instructors who conduct classes or 1:1 session with members. 
Memberships are affordable and there are packages for couples and pay-as-you-go members. Over the summer period, HLC also offers a ‘junior gym’ session for ages 12-15 years. 
2 - Sports Hall (7% of total income): 
HLC offers a sports hall facility that can be booked to play indoor sports (like mat bowls, badminton etc) and also be used as a venue for parties and gatherings.
3 - Children’s soft play centre- Sharky’s (47% of total income): 
Set up in 2016 with the support of the Horsham District Council, the children’s soft play centre and café has helped to make the leisure centre more financially sustainable. HLC have noted that the income is very weather dependent, and there is scope to generate additional income by marketing the facilities to households in neighbouring villages.
4 - Children’s clubs and other (13% of total income): 
HLC operates breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs, and children’s activities. Its facilities and services are registered with Ofsted. For those who are unable to pay for the services, HLC accepts childcare vouchers.

Impact

Social investment from Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), paid for new gym equipment and the build of two new padel courts.  The impact on the community has been very positive, offering new affordable fitness facilities to local people and a community space for older people.

In February 2025, HLC re-opened the gym, using the new equipment, to Age UK for its gentle gym class. It was delighted to host 20 people from the local area who stayed for lunch after. The people who came not only benefitted from the physical class from movement, but many live on their own and say they find it hard to cook for themselves.

HLC is going to do this on a regular basis to help with mobility and provide a social get together. The padel courts opened in March 2025 and HLC has employed a padel coach to help with the opening of the courts, showing people the rules and running taster sessions etc. 

They are also reaching out to local schools and clubs. The feedback has been positive and everyone that has tried it loves playing it. A rainwater has also been installed to provide a sustainable water supply for the new toilets.