GLL Awarded Three Year Contract Extension For Sugden Sports Centre
Charitable social enterprise GLL - which provides leisure services under the 'Better' brand - has been awarded a three-year contract extension to continue managing Manchester’s Sugden Sports Centre, by The University of Manchester and the Manchester Metropolitan University.
GLL, which has been running Sugden Sports Centre since 2018, will be investing over £200,000 as part of the contract agreement across a range of areas to support the health and wellbeing of students and staff across the universities. In addition,
GLL is also proudly a Real Living Wage employer and has committed to developing employment and training opportunities for young people, including a national Graduate Training programme.
GLL will also continue to provide the Universities’ staff and students with a unique membership offer with packages available that enable access to Sugden Sports Centre to be combined with the world class facilities at the newly refurbished Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Prospective athletes will also be able to benefit from the GLL Sport Foundation. The GSF is the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme, providing grants, free training memberships and sport science support. In Manchester nearly 100 athletes were supported in 2024, including athletes who attend both Universities and use the Sugden Sports Centre.
Jackson Garner, GLL’s Partnership Manager for Manchester said: “We feel hugely positive about the next three years and the enhancements we will be able to make at Sugden Sports Centre. The new extension will mean GLL will have operated the centre for 10 years, which is a great testament to the partnership that we’ve established with the Universities and our commitment to delivering a first-class experience for staff and students.”
Neil Hurren, Strategic Lead for Sport at the Manchester Metropolitan University said:
“We are delighted to be working with GLL again for the next 3 years. This new contract is testament to the great work undertaken over the course of the last 5-years. We are excited to explore new opportunities with GLL, with the intention of providing our university populations with access to high quality sport and physical activity experiences.”
Vicky Ackerley, Director of Residences & Sport, University of Manchester said:
“We are looking forward to developing our partnership with GLL further to enhance the opportunities available to our students and staff across The Sugden Sports Centre and Manchester Aquatics Centre. The option to access other Manchester sites and those in our students’ hometowns is also a major plus, encouraging continued participation in sport and physical activity.”
The contract extension begins on 1st April 2025 and runs until 31st March 2028.