Matthew visited the Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, operated by GLL, to see for himself how they were handling the energy crisis.

Public swimming pools and leisure centres have been struggling to work out how they can pay their energy bills. Operators are facing difficult choices to reduce the costs of swimming pools, these include lowering the temperature of the water, opening for shorter hours in the day, reducing the number of staff working - or, in extreme cases, closing the pools. 

The Government is providing money to help people with their domestic energy bills, but commercial enterprises are different. Many publicly-owned leisure centres and gyms received a share of the £100 million passed on to 266 local authorities across England following the pandemic but commercial enterprises have not received the same assistance.

Matthew is making representations to the Treasury for help to these community enterprises as they cannot be allowed to fail through an additional burden on their business. 

Matthew said: “I visited Copthall in the late morning and saw how busy it was. In addition to members of the public using most of the pool, there was also a special needs school swimming in two lanes, several schools competing in athletics in the main hall, a yoga class upstairs and individuals using the gym equipment.

"The difficulties facing such businesses are not of their own making and the facilities being provided offer a range of activities for local communities and ensure a healthier society. Therefore, it is in the interests of the Chancellor to provide support.”