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Leisure firm put into administration

11:42am Friday 16th February 2007

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North Wiltshire Leisure Ltd was last night put into administration by the district council after the trust asked for £650,000 to be able to keep the district's six leisure centres open until the end of March.

It is likely to mean all six leisure centres will close tonight.

A special meeting of the district council's executive committee meeting behind closed doors voted not to give its leisure arm the money.

The Gazette understands members voted to put North Wiltshire Leisure Ltd into administration.

It is now meeting this morning to decide the way ahead. It is possible it will appoint administrators to run the leisure centres until the end of March.

The council is also talking to DC Leisure to see if they will take over the running of the centres before the agreed date of April 1.

If neither of these plans happens the leisure centres will close tonight.

North Wiltshire District Council leader Carol O'Gorman was this morning not answering her phone.

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Your Say YourThe Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

Inge Davies, wootton bassett says...
3:39pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Who will Carol O'Gorman blame this state of affairs on? The time has come for the buck to stop and incompetent heads to roll!!

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Gobsmacked!, Chippenham says...
3:59pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Perhaps the Gazette and Herald journalists should be mindful of their facts prior to making dispertions regarding the fate of the leisure centres in North Wiltshire. By surmising that the centres will close creates an unnecessary state of panic amoungst the users and staff, particularly if this is utter fabrication.

In regards to the utter incompetency that exists in the Council, I would suppose that this is all we as a district could expect from small minded, misinformed morons. Being that the Council are desparately trying is dispose of the negative press regarding the state of leisure in North WIltshire prior to the elections, I would appeal to the residents in our area to make your vote count during May's elections by ridding ourselves of these ignorant idiots. Voting for individuals that display integrity, honesty, understanding would be the order of the day.

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Anon, says...
4:02pm Fri 16 Feb 07

I agree with Inge Davies from Wootten Bassett. I say bring back the burning witches at the stake!

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Carol Elliott, Wootton Bassett says...
5:26pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Oh why am I not surprised. These people have got no idea.If they close it will still cost the council ( council tax payers) £40.000 a month !!!!!!!!!!! Someone save us from these stupid people.

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phil mann, w/bassett says...
6:04pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Do we have to wait until the May elections to express our feelings? Think of the damage these idiots could do between now and then! A vote of no confidence I say !!

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Nigel Jobbins, says...
8:53pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Squatters have more rights than taxpayers in Bassett. When will NWLL be held to account?

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Richard Brayley, Wootton Bassett says...
10:51am Sat 17 Feb 07

We have to hope that the council can broker a deal with DC Leisure without breaking the constitutional rules that they duty bound by. Whilst NWLL has shown total incompentancy in their management of all leisure centres in North Wilts the accountability rests firmly with the council. Quite simply thousands of tax payers money has been squandered in the past few years. If most of us performed as badly as they have in our respective jobs we would have been sacked a long time ago. Carol O’Gorman for one should fall on her sword, listening to her accounts over the past few months proves she know absolutely nothing about Sport and Leisure. I believe the electorate has on opportunity to vote in some wards in May and I implore that everyone sends a clear message to the Liberal Democrats – ‘GET OUT OF NORTH WILTS YOUR NOLONGER WELCOME!’ - Remember they voted to close three centres !

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heidi stephens, wooton bassett says...
11:39am Sat 17 Feb 07

PLEASE keep it open.I use it 4 times a week with phoenix martial arts and Otters swim club.

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Thomas Cridge, Wootton Bassett says...
1:51pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Closing the centre is not fair or healthy. I am 6 years old and use the centre 4 times a week for Otters Swim Club, Community Soccer and Phoenix Martial Arts. Please, please keep it open!

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Scott Mackay, the GYM uk says...
4:54pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Need a new place to train? A member of the GYM uk management team will be available, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to discuss membership switch from the Activa sites within NWLL. Any current Activa member worried about alternative training facilities should come along to the GYM uk on Bumpers Farm and discuss further.

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Shameful GYM uk, North Wilts says...
5:17pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Shame on you GYM uk. Why would anyone want to train at your crap gym. I attended your gym when you first opened and none of your staff could be bothered tospeak to myself and my collegue when we entered your facility. Your comments are tacky. much the same as the way you operate your rubbish facility. Barely qualified, ignorant staff. My God, I couldnt think of anything worse. Stop trying to take advantage of someone else's plight. Shame on you!

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unehical Gym uk, says...
5:27pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I can't believe that GYM uk are trying to take advantage of the situation with the North Wiltshire Leisure Centres. More importantly, the public should know that neither of the owners of the GYM have a background in fitness, are unqualified and know nothing about training. WHy would the public place their health in their the GYms incompetent hands. The same can probably be said for the staff that work for them. I had the misfortune to know both from my forces days. No integrity then and none now. Obviously this is represenative of the state of their business as they have to pick through throug the remains of anothers dead? Good grief your business deserves to fail on that fact alone.

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joe, malmesbury says...
5:28pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I have also been to THE GYM and the staff cant be bothered with helping users and the facilities are less than average!

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staffnwll, chippenham says...
5:35pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Everyone needs to be at council offices/olympiad at 9am monday when board meets-we are all going to be unemployed at 10pm monday if noone takes on the company-and yes cricklade and white horse are closing anyway on monday night no matter what-and the council have been very unhelpful where staff are concerned and even if dc leisure take it on still 100 of us are being made redundant-and at the moment if they close monday at 10pm and we have been told is a big possibility then 400 will be unemployed and noone will be paid for this month or redundant payments paid-all down to the council and lack of communication from the council.....theres a surprise.All to save face for the elections!-this has been planned to do do since before Christmas-there never was a repreve for the sites closing or reduntancys.

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sam, chippenham says...
7:52pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Your disgusting people are losing their jobs and all your thinking about is steeling their custom? Do you think your small over priced gym could accomodate all the people that have activa memberships and you could provide the same service as what the centres closing down provide?

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Bearded Jobseeker, Dole office says...
10:03pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I hope to see all staff and customers @ 9.00am monday morning outside Al qaeda`s, sorry i mean NWDC`s main regime offices. I would like to thank the gazette and herald for their continued support of our leisure centres. Now, as for The GYM uk P***ks lets hope your dodgy sauna doesnt blow up in your fake tanned faces! W****rs!

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Bravo!, Chippenham says...
10:34pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Bravo to the Bearded job seeker! I too will join any staff members and customers that wish to protest at the DWDC HQ of doom on Monday Morning. Whilst we are into protesting I call for everyone to avoid Gym Uk like the plague, as disease is the only thing that is catchy about that facility! Filthy dirty rotten scoundrels to try and make an opportunity out of a desperate time.

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The HEAD of NWDC, Somewhere in N Wilts says...
9:12am Sun 18 Feb 07

Dear valued subjects,
As I told parents in a recent school meeting, none of this is my fault. The SOS teams didn't consult me. The other parties have done nothing to help. As council leader I have to rely on my incompetent staff. As for NWLL, what does governance mean?
For the good news. You are all cordially invited to join the the O'Gorman fitness for Wilthsire fatties club next year. When I have completed the land clearance programme and eliminated the credible competitors I will fulfill my 25 promises to my husband. 24 of them make him a wealthy man.
Now North Wilts, tomorrow Parliament.
P.S. Don't forget to vote Lib Dem in May!

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coach@nwll, chippenham says...
10:13am Sun 18 Feb 07

I think Mrs O gorman should have stuck to selling over priced trinkets in her shops in Calne-we have had NO SUPPORT through the whole procedure-all 400 of us may be out of work MOnday at 10pm and 100 will DEFINATELY still loose our jobs even if DC ever take over-we dont even know if we will be paid this month or our reduntantcy moneys which are rightfully ours-and were suppose to still pay our council tax?!!!!
If you want to show support for the STAFF aswell-MEET 9AM council offices MONDAY-Tv cameras will be there to-just still wondering how the heck Im going to pay morgage next month.Mormally atleast you get some notice of redunantcy-weve had no support and mostly hear about whats happening once its in the press.Yet we still have to keep the centres going and today-even though we could be unpaid and out of work tomorrow. ]bold

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davies family, wootton bassett says...
10:35am Sun 18 Feb 07

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lime Kiln staff for their continued presence and professionalism, despite their uncertain future. The goal posts move, the rug gets pulled from under their feet, and still they turn up for work and look after us.
THANK YOU

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Counciltaxpayer, North Wiltshire says...
10:38am Sun 18 Feb 07

Reference comment from Head of NWDC: Chiefs always blame the Indians!!! Talking of incompetence - spelling should be checked before posting comments!! Where is the 'fatties' club going to be?

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council tax payer, chippenham says...
10:51am Sun 18 Feb 07

I suggest all those people with customer queries contact Carol O'gorman by phone or e-mail.

Tel (work/daytime): 01249 706570
Mobile No: 07830 819643
Email: cogorman@northwilts.gov.uk

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gym friend, chippenham says...
12:24pm Sun 18 Feb 07

i have read the above comments on the gym and its owners, i have know the guys for a number of years and both have a background in fitness, scott was a semi professional footballer and played for inverness calidonian thistle and kev is a climbing and outdoor persuits instructor. as for the staff being unqualified, all the staff at the gym are advanced personal trainers with a premier diploma, added to that scott has a level 4 massage qualification and dawn has 2 honours degrees in osteopathy, how can you call them unqualified, their staff is the most qualified in the area!!! all they have done is offer an alternative to the people of the area who have found themselves with nowhere to train under no fault of their own...the equipment at the gym is also the most up to date in the area and they are the only gym in the area with trixter x bikes, air machines and precor machines which are of amazing quality. the guys at the gym have done an amazing job there and good luck to them, i wish them every sucess and good luck in the future. keep up the good work

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Emma - member, Chippenham says...
2:17pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I think it is sad that these people feel they have to put the Gym UK down, they deliver a very professional and friendly service to their members.

As a personal friend of a member of staff that works at the Olympiad I am shocked how they have been treated and uniformed. There’s nothing wrong with The Gym offering it’s services to the residents of North Wilts who have been let down and need a gym facility. All the Gym UK staff are respectful and honourable people who also have friends that work at these leisure centres.

Shame on you for the contents of some of your comments.. I know many, many members including myself who have been let down and disappointed with the facilities and services received in other local gyms but I won’t comment on these, The GYM uk is fantastic gym and people should be able to make up their own minds.

Thank you to the Gym UK for your excellent service provided by truely professional, friendly and enthusiastic men and women.

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Mark Hopkins, Wootton Bassett says...
3:20pm Sun 18 Feb 07

An appaling situation with our leisure centres has become a farce - NWDC are responsible for the provision of leisure, they are reponsible for overseeing any contract given to any company to run services on their/our behalf eg NWLL, the incompentence is staggering. Simple: Carol, the leader of NWDC, should resign on Monday 19th February taking all those reponsible for this situation with her - including those on the Executive that voted for the closure of the 3 centres. These busy-bodies are allowed to have these positions of reponsibilities - they must accept the consequences of their mismanagement. NWDC has let down our communities, the clubs and the staff at the centres (who will need to find new jobs, then won't be around when DC leisure have to try and pick up the pieces on the 1st April 2007). Carol, please go now - your legacy is assured!

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Susan, Chippenham says...
5:43pm Sun 18 Feb 07

NWDC has shown itself to be incompetent in the extreme. Madam O'Gorman is not the only one who should go - but she should be the first. Each year our coundil tax rises and we get less and less for our money. Shame on you. I can't understand the venom towards Gym UK, though. NWDC are the villains here, vent your anger on them big time on Monday, PLEASE

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W.H.L.C, says...
9:59pm Sun 18 Feb 07

There will be a meeting with Athena Leisure (the company who are committing to taking over White Horse Leisure Centre). This meeting will take place in the W.H.L.C on monday 19th feb at 8.00pm. Be there!

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