Bedford's leisure centres to close for two days

Oasis Beach Pool is one of the facilities that will be run by the new operator

A town's leisure centres will be closed for two days while a new operator takes over.

Bedford Borough Council announced in November that it had signed a two-year contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) for the management of its facilities.

It will take over from Fusion Lifestyle from 1 February.

The facilities will be shut on Thursday and Friday so a "smooth transition" can take place, the council said.

The new operator will run Bedford International Athletic Stadium, Oasis Beach Pool, John Bunyan Sports and Fitness, Kempston Outdoor Centre, Kempston Pool, Mowsbury Golf and Squash Centre, Robinson Pools and Fitness, and Blue Peris Mountain Centre, which is owned by the council but based in Wales.

Conservative councillor Sarah Gallagher, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "We are committed to improving leisure and sports opportunities for local people to enable more active lifestyles.

"This new partnership will see changes to the look and feel of the facilities and create new opportunities for active leisure in Bedford Borough."

GLL, a charitable social enterprise, was founded in 1993 and currently operates more than 240 leisure centres.

The council began the process to find a new provider in August.