Stokewood, Pelhams and Littledown leisure centres in Bournemouth have been applauded for their dedication to inspire people and communities to stay active.
Stokewood, Pelhams and Littledown are owned by BCP Council and operated by BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise.
Each centre has been awarded with ‘Very Good’ status following an assessment by Sport England’s trusted trade body, Right Directions. The teams were commended for their commitment to customer service, presentation, and the diverse range of activities and facilities that they offer.
The assessment, known as Quest, benchmarks cleanliness, how the centre is managed and its team’s performance against other operators in the sport and leisure industry. Assessors reward centres for their dedication to making fitness a clean, fun, and safe pastime. The rigorous process includes a mystery shopper visit, interviews and online research to get an authentic customer experience.
The Quest assessor commented that Stokewood’s class timetable was “impressive” and that the centre “offered something for all intensities.” Stokewood’s team was also recognised for their knowledge and customer service, sharing that the team seemed to feel “pride in giving me as much information as they could to assist with my queries.”
A recent project to transform Stokewood’s poolside changing facilities was completed earlier this year, with BH Live investing hundreds of thousands of pounds to install new shower facilities, toilets, vanity units, and lockers following customer feedback. The assessor remarked how well upcoming refurbishments or centre changes were communicated, sharing that it was “positive” to see investment being made into the centre.
Following a major half-a-million-pound gym refurbishment last year, Pelhams also received extremely positive feedback for the versatility of its equipment, “with something certainly on offer for all fitness goals”. The team received positive reports for their emergency response times, with the centre regularly participating in drills and simulated emergencies throughout the year for staff training and development. Additionally, Pelhams’ Terrace Café was applauded for its friendly team, great customer service, and high standards. The café was awarded 5-star Food Hygiene rating earlier this year.
All centres were celebrated for their commitment to inspiring more people across the region to stay active through BH Live’s health and wellbeing programme and diverse range of classes. In Littledown’s assessment report, the assessor noted that ‘it was refreshing to find such a diverse range of specialist health programmes taking place at the facility’ and that there was an offering ‘for all sectors of the community’.
As a registered charity, getting more people active is one of BH Live’s main aims. On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development shared:
“We have the privilege of operating some of the best leisure centres and sports across the region in partnership with BCP Council. We are helping to improve thousands of lives every single day and I am incredibly proud of the teams at Stokewood, Pelhams, and Littledown for their remarkable achievements.
“Thanks to the teams’ hard work, we’re making sure these community leisure centres continue to be fantastic places to work, play, learn and visit for better health and wellbeing.”
Sarah Lobo, Head of External Accreditations at Right Directions shared:
“It’s wonderful to see that Stokewood, Pyramids and Littledown have earned a “Very Good” rating in their Sport England Quest Assessments. The Quest process has really helped highlight the value of the teams’ work and how they stack up against national standards. The facilities are clearly committed to encouraging more visitors across the city to stay active.”
Visit bhliveactive.org.uk for more information.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK
Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.
There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown Bar (18+ only), each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @littledowncentre
About Stokewood Leisure Centre
Stokewood opened as a public baths in 1930.
It is now operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in the heart of the Winton/Charminster area of Bournemouth, Stokewood is a thriving community leisure centre with circa 300,000 attendances a year.
There is a well-equipped gym which is split over two levels with lift access. The group exercises class timetable is extensive with more than 70 classes each week spanning from HIIT to spin to yoga.
In 2024, the centre’s poolside changing rooms were completely transformed with new shower facilities, lockers and toilets. Accessible changing rooms are also available.
The centre is home to local sports clubs for activities including triathlon, water polo, lifeguard training, and Kanku Shotokan Karate. Stokewood is also popular for hosting pool parties, school swimming lessons and Bournemouth Swimming Academy activities.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/stokewood
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @stokewoodleisurecentre
About Pelhams Park Leisure Centre
Located in Kinson (North Bournemouth), BH Live Active, Pelhams is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
A vibrant community hub, the team at Pelhams works closely with the local community and health groups to provide fitness and social activities for all.
High-quality fitness facilities include a recently refurbished gym (2023) with natural daylight and park views. Equipment includes Technogym’s cardio, resistance equipment for strength and toning, free weights and functional fitness space. An exercise referral team provides guidance and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with long term health condition.
Swimming facilities include two pools with lane swimming, public swim sessions, pool-based classes, fun for young people, lessons and more. There is also a sauna for post workout relaxation.
Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyJam, BodyCombat, Sprint, Dance, Lifting Techniques, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, Core, Zumba and so much more. There also a dedicated Technogym Group cycle studio with daily classes.
Pelhams is home to BH Live Active’s only Wellness Hub. With power-assisted exercise equipment and classes, this specialist area is a great introduction to being more active. (not included in standard adult membership; extra charges apply).
Open to members and non members there is a Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.
Outdoors there are outdoor tennis courts for hire plus floodlit 3G rubber crumb artificial training pitches.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/pelhams
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @pelhamsparkleisurecentre