Leisure Fees Set to Rise in Stafford as Council Considers 2026 Pricing Proposals

Stafford Borough Council’s Cabinet is set to discuss proposals to increase fees and charges for leisure and cultural services across the borough at a meeting next week.

On Thursday, 11th December 2025, councillors will review a report requesting approval for a new pricing structure for Freedom Leisure, the charitable trust that operates facilities including Stafford Leisure Centre, Stone Leisure Centre, the Gatehouse Theatre, and Stafford Castle on behalf of the council.

Why are prices going up? According to the report submitted by the Head of Wellbeing, Freedom Leisure is seeking permission to increase fees by an average of 6.9% from 1st January 2026.

Under the current contract, which began in 2017, the operator is permitted to raise prices annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 2%. Based on January 2025 figures, this would automatically allow for a 5.8% rise. However, Freedom Leisure has requested an additional 1.1% increase this year, the first time they have asked to exceed the contractual limit citing significant cost pressures.

The report highlights two main drivers for the request:

• Staffing Costs: Wages account for nearly half (48%) of Freedom Leisure's costs. With the National Living Wage rising, the operator states they need to reflect this in their pricing.

• Energy Costs: Energy prices remain the operator's second-largest expense. The report notes that energy costs have "more than doubled in recent years" and are projected to rise by a further 10% next year if consumption remains static, despite efforts to install solar panels and reduce usage.

What will the new prices look like? If approved, residents will see increases across most activities, though some fees are actually set to decrease.

Swimming & Gym:

• Adult Swim: Rising from £6.80 to £7.10 (+30p).

• Junior/Concession Swim: Rising from £3.40 to £3.55 (+15p).

• Fitness Suite (Adult): Rising from £10.20 to £10.75 (+55p).

• Full Membership: Monthly fees rising from £44.80 to £47.00.

Sports & Courts:

• Badminton (Adult): Increasing from £11.90 to £13.00 per court (+£1.10).

• Squash (Adult): Increasing from £10.20 to £11.00 (+80p).

• Rowley Park Football Pitch (Peak): Rising from £77.40 to £81.25 (+£3.85).

Culture & Heritage:

• Gatehouse Theatre Booking Fee: This is proposed to decrease by 15p, dropping from £3.15 to £3.00 per ticket.

• Stafford Castle Admission (Guided): Rising from £5.65 to £6.00.

• School Visits: Costs for educational visits to heritage sites are set to rise by between 4.6% and 5.3%.

Risks of Rejection The report to the Cabinet warns that rejecting the proposals could have serious consequences for local services. While Freedom Leisure could still apply the contractual 5.8% increase without approval, the shortfall "would lead to a shortfall within Freedom Leisure's budget."

Officers note this creates a risk of "reductions in services, staffing levels or operating hours" to balance the books. In a worst-case scenario, it could lead to the operator withdrawing from the contract entirely, forcing the Council to take over operations at its own cost.

The meeting will take place at 6.30pm in the Craddock Room at the Civic Centre, Riverside.