Sites of sport, health and leisure are posting positive economic numbers. The socio-economic numbers need as much or more attention. In 2025 the sector generated £7.46bn in social value. Critical parts of preventative health infrastructure. Great work from UKActive. ukactive.com/news/from-se...

Government creatively exploring ways to activate investment. With £7 trillion in personal wealth set to be passed down by 2050, a philanthropic initiative hoping to unlock a percentage of this wealth to benefit diverse places, communities across the wider society? www.gov.uk/government/n...

Swim Ireland repeating the pleas of Swim England for investment in public swimming pools. An essential life skill, a community asset, a place to play, an investment in public health. Whether apathy or oversight from governments towards pools, something needs to change. www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

This new issue includes a feature on the revitalisation of Plymouth’s magnificent Tinside Lido. This has brought out the Art Deco beauty of the pool and building, introduced great new facilities for visitors and the community, and, best of all, deeply involved the city’s young people. 🩵

🚲 Want to get cycling but not sure where to start? The Big Bike Revival offers free support, from repairs to confidence sessions and guided rides. 👇 Find events near you, meet your local officer and get inspired. 🔗 cyclinguk.org/bbr-events

Interesting views on the growth of padel. An indoor sport that has a number of factors propelling private construction and participation. The planned investment in sites continues around the country, and there remain audiences that have yet to experience the sport. www.cityam.com/padels-growt...

David Lloyd have a distinct premium offering but they have designed sites based on wider consumer trends, that arent provided anywhere else. They have the largest stock of outdoor pools in the UK. Almost 100 private sites compared to 130 accessible to the wider public. www.ft.com/content/e800...

Outdoor pools are much loved places of joy, and so they symbolise something. In this case, happiness and living well in later life. Presumably linked to pension security. Yet there are only around 130 available and accessible to the public in the UK. And no government plans to change this.

The padel phenomena has hit M&S. Reflecting the scale of growth, and M&S being tuned into public leisure trends. The Club de padel range means kids can now be dressed in their parent's favourite sport! Vamos!

The health and wellbeing sector is posting impressive growth numbers. Income is higher, visits rising, and the financial profitability comes loaded with social value - better life satisfaction, improved health. Strong demand equals sustained investment. www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-...

On a top 10 of really hard to understand things that previous generations did, demolishing the lidos is up there with ripping out fireplaces to put in three bar electric heaters. This one would have been five minutes' walk from my house.

Another private leisure operator posting impressive financial results. Bannatyne Health Clubs maintaining a strong membership, growing revenue and profit margins, and investing in their sites to meet the demand for padel. www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessid...

The emergence of Spring is always marked by a series of articles covering the UKs diverse iconic outdoor pools. First out the blocks is BBC Countryfile highlighting the pleasures to be had from these sites and the steady growth in restoration and recreation. www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/...

An Easter weekend exploring the Lakes with the family didn't dissapoint. A wealth of weather, walks, views, chat and fine food to nourish the soul.

As has now become a regular occurrence, Swim England and the Swimming APPG publish the next iteration in effectively documenting the decline of our access to public swimming pools. Will there be a response from government this time which starts to avert this decline? www.swimming.org/swimengland/...

Back in 2023 I wrote about the opportunity presented by outdoor pools as part of the UK leisure estate. Distinctive places across the country which are much loved. theconversation.com/a-brief-hist...

London Marathon looking at expansion to meet the growth in demand for places. Likely Great Run will be doing the same. Alongside tourism, research shows that mass participation events are catalysts for healthy behaviour and increased consumption of sports products. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athlet...

Sunderland (h). Spectacular (fail).

Scouting for Girls (h). Lively, lovely.

Out with Masters students talking the business of cricket at Durham, where it's always sunny. Thanks as ever for the team for hosting.

It's dissertation and events season for final year @northumbriauni.bsky.social Sport Management students. One event is a Backyard Ultra happening at Newcastle Racecourse raising money for Red Sky Foundation. More details here if you're feeling fit! www.newcastleworld.com/whats-on/300...

Kids who got new bikes "super excited" to walk them around the city that's too dangerous to ride in.

This is so, so well done.

There's a growing lack of swimming facilities globally and no signs that this is going to change. Submission from Canada, with 8,000 kids on waitlists for lessons in Vancouver. Joins well known UK situation, alongside Sweden and Australian data seen recently. olympic.ca/2025/08/06/c...

Data from active apps always shows fascinating consumer insight. Playtomic, who underpin the growth of padel are the latest to share. As the infrastructure doubles in 2026 to over 2000 courts, the sport is moving from novelty into habit. newsletter.padelbusinessmagazine.com/p/playtomic-...

Greggs x Fenwicks

Maximo Park (h). Raucous.

Noble (h). Eclectic, irreverent, genius.

Further evidence of broader leisure trends and shifts in consumer spending. Gym membership becoming essential rather than discretionary spending, alongside other paid fitness services. "People are doing what they can to improve their odds of avoiding illness." www.consultancy.uk/news/43228/c...

Another leisure business announcing strong trading results. Strong demand for fitness services in under-25s seeing record levels of memberships. Total Fitness, with 16 locations across the North of England and Wales, has seen revenue increase 12% to £51.6m. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/ne...

Florence and the machine (h). A mythical spectacular.

Brands now stating their intent to invest into facilities to drive the rapid growth of Padel in the UK. Slazenger, who are part of Mike Ashley's Frasers Group, announcing their investment plans for 2026. Would expect to see strategic acquisition of independents too. sportsnation.uk/slazenger-lo...

Corner of Market Street East and Pilgrim Street in #Newcastle houses what looks like the most grand and greatest #Greggs.

As the new series of Death is Paradise is upon us, providing a welcome hit of Caribbean sunshine to help deal with the relentless rain, I'm loving this playlist which tracks the music from the show. Hopefully it keeps getting updated. open.spotify.com/playlist/28x...

Hannah is the Green Party candidate for Gorton and Denton. She is also a plumber and dog rescuer🐕💪

Watching / listening to the #NUFC press conferences is a new habit I've adopted this season. The authentic interaction between journalists and Eddie Howe is well worth the effort in an era of spin and clickbait. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwv5...

Fantastic to see GLL continuing to roll out their strategic plan. Leisure is seeing growth and investment across the sector to meet public demand, and so it's no surprise to see this happening as they enhance key sites within their estate. www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-...

Fantastic news to see a new lease agreed which saves the wonderful Stanhope Pool. Fundraising needed to modernise before its open again. It's a vibrant community site of joy which is bound to get plenty of support! www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2579704...

Legends #NUFC stadium tour with Bez! Get in there quick @fnafilms.com. book.newcastleunited.com/en-GB/catego...

A day on the couch looking after my poorly daughter. Together we've binge watched Robson Green's Weekend Escapes. What a treat. Beautiful storytelling, amazing people and stunning places. I think we both feel uplifted. Highly recommended. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

More substance on the growth and demand for the UK leisure sector, as David Lloyd come out with a bullish trading statement. 800k high fee paying members, significant expansion plans, driven by consumers prioritising health and well being. www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market...

A bit of positivity to start your working day.

#NUFC hit a streak this time last year. And we know how that turned out! With a fit and healthy squad, after a season of challenges where they've been solving problems, you wouldn't bet against something similar. HWTL.

Fantastic to see the new Sea Lanes site get approval for Canary Wharf. Having overwhelmingly proved the commercially and customer demand for their concept in Brighton, its not a surprise to see this facility innovation roll out. group.canarywharf.com/press-releas...

Archibald Leitch's unrealised development of St. James' Park from 1921 for #NewcastleUnited

As ever, the new adidas / #NUFC ad has plenty of sharp cultural references. It could have featured the kid finding a box of Blue Star matches... the VCRs that were distributed weekly around pubs in the region through an agreement with Newcastle Breweries.

The power of culture. A wonderful chat between two Geordie legends and great friends. I love how Knopfler talks about his lyrics and stories, putting his own experiences and geography into songs. Howay the lads. www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_pa...

Through 2026 we'll continue to see the trend of growing health, wellbeing and leisure investment, which is in response to increasing public demand. Look out for new gyms, padel centres, and new hybrid concepts utilising available spaces. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

As #NUFC start 2026 with a couple of goals and a win, here's all the @newcastleunited.com goals from 2025. Worth an hour of your time to find your favourites and ones you've forgotten. Here's hoping for more sharp angled 0xG screamers (Murphy / Tonali) incoming! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctWF...

The 1970s vision for Newcastle United's new Brutalist East Stand at St. James' Park @alexniven.bsky.social