Ipswich Borough Council has announced significant price increases across its sports and leisure facilities, with some fees rising by more than 50% from 1 November 2024.
Why it matters: The changes will affect thousands of regular users across Ipswich's council-run facilities, with some of the steepest increases hitting family swimming sessions and gym memberships.
The big picture: Council officials say the rises are needed due to inflation, rising utility costs and staff pay increases.
The decision aims to reduce council subsidies for leisure services
Changes affect both casual users and members
By the numbers:
Family swim tickets rising by £3.30 to £20.30
Full gym, swim and classes membership increasing by £12.40 to £50.90 per month
Casual gym sessions up by £2.60 to £10.10
Swimming lessons increasing by up to £10.50 per session
Yes, but: Some residents have expressed concerns about the scale and timing of the increases. One iCard holder told Ipswich.co.uk: "The communication has been very quiet to iCard holders. For a county and town in dire need of improving health and fitness, these increases just feel too heavy and too quickly implemented."
The bottom line: The new prices take effect from 1 November, giving users just over three weeks' notice of the changes. The council says it has benchmarked its charges against other local facilities.
