More than 90 solar panels are being installed at BH Live Active Littledown, promoting sustainable energy and reducing the leisure centre’s carbon footprint.
BH Live, the registered charity and social enterprise that operates the centre has funded this investment in conjunction with Empower, to boost the centre’s green credentials. It is expected to offset around 23 tonnes of carbon every year and generate more than 41,000 kWh of energy – enough to power more than 15 UK homes for one year*.
Other recent energy saving initiatives funded by BH Live include the installation of EV charging points at Sir David English Sports Centre to meet demand for greener travel, and replacing plant equipment with more sustainable processes at BH Live Active, Pelhams. Since the installation of EV chargers at Sir David English Sports Centre last summer, the stations are estimated to have saved 500kg in CO2 emissions.
As of October 2024, all leisure centres managed by BH Live across Bournemouth and East Dorset have achieved Green Mark Level 2 accreditation as part of the organisation’s commitment to reducing energy waste and improving sustainability. This includes BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen; BH Live Active, Queen’s Park; Sir David English Sports Centre, Littledown, Pelhams, and Stokewood.
Green Mark has become a cornerstone of business operations across the UK as they move towards being environmentally sustainable for the long term. Green Mark reviews organisations’ sustainability performances, identifying steps on how businesses can save energy, reduce waste, and become more environmentally responsible in their everyday processes.
Littledown is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council. On behalf of BH Live,
Roy Clarke, Director of Technical Operations shared:
“Last year, we made great strides in becoming a more energy-efficient organisation through continued investment into sustainable measures. We are delighted to continue this mission into 2025, kicking off with the installation of brand-new solar panels at Littledown.
“As well as reducing our carbon footprint, this project will see us make significant savings not just in our energy usage, but financially as well, creating more opportunities to invest and improve our facilities and services.”
Ryan McShea, Managing Director at Empower Energy, shared;
“At Empower Energy, we are proud to continue our partnership with BH Live in their sustainability journey. The installation of over 90 high-performance solar panels at Littledown is another step forward in reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy within the local community.
“This system will produce over 41,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, significantly offsetting carbon emissions while delivering long-term cost savings. It builds on our previous successful solar installations for BH Live, including at Stokewood and The BIC.
“With every project, our goal is to help organisations like BH Live take meaningful steps towards energy independence and sustainability. We’re delighted to be part of this initiative and look forward to supporting more renewable energy projects in the future.”
Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said:
“I am really pleased to see this investment from BH Live which builds on their successful oundations from last year.
“We all know the importance of reducing our carbon emissions and the impact this has on a supporting a sustainable future. These solar panels are a fantastic step towards reducing the leisure centre’s carbon emissions.
“As a Council we have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and this investment by partners supports progress towards ensuring we meet this obligation, and our commitment to working with others to achieve the area-wide target by 2045.”
For more information about Littledown, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*Based on the energy usage of an average British household:
What is the average energy bill in Great Britain? – British Gas
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
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 Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
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